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en-usSun, 15 Sep 2019 12:19:06 +0200Mon, 09 Sep 2019 19:01:53 +0200https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1441.jpghttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/
144Mom’s Forward Thinking Protects Family After She's Gonehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/life-insurance-awareness-month-2019/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/life-insurance-awareness-month-2019/When the unexpected happened, one decision kept a family secure.The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.
]]>Her sense of humor, her positive attitude, her life goals. He was drawn to it all. But what first led 34-year-old Stephen Miller to his wife Katie was a mutual passion: dogs.

“I met Katie when she came over to meet my roommate’s pup, Cole. We hit it off right away and I asked her to the movies.”

The relationship blossomed - and in 2011 the pair wed.

“Marrying Katie was a packaged deal. I got a wonderful wife and her Labrador border collie mix, Riley,” smiled Stephen. "I became an instant dog dad.”

Life marched on. Stephen worked as a contractor. Katie, an accountant. “Great with numbers, wise with money - that’s Katie.” So it didn’t surprise Stephen when Katie arranged a meeting for the couple to discuss their financial goals with State Farm® agent Rose Goheen.

“I knew Katie before she met Stephen, because I helped write her homeowners insurance,” said Rose. “She was analytical, logical, and practical. She wanted to ensure they had a strong financial foundation.”

During the meeting, they discussed life insurance. That didn’t sit well with Stephen. “I thought the whole thing was a waste of time and money,” he said. "I told Katie, ‘We’re young! We’re healthy. We don’t need this.’”

Katie won the debate. They took out two term policies. Life marched on.

In 2014, the Millers celebrated the birth of their first child, a son named Chase. Shortly after, they met Rose for another financial review.

“Stephen and Katie did it right. Life insurance matters. It is important to look at policies to determine a comfortable figure for your budget and changing circumstances,” said Rose.

Three years later, the Millers welcomed their second child, Reid. “It was an exciting, busy time,” said Stephen. “But we had health concerns about Katie.”

A few months after giving birth to Reid, doctors found a tumor near Katie’s stomach. Following surgery and testing, it was determined to be Ewing’s Sarcoma. The rare cancer, which occurs in and around the bones had metastasized to other parts of Katie’s body.

“The word cancer…it’s numbing,” said Stephen. “But Katie never lost her light.”

With the help and support of family, friends and her medical team, Katie fought the disease hard. But the cancer continued to spread. On July 28, 2018, Katie passed away at the age of 30.

Her final request was to remember the good times, remember her.

“We continue to do that every day,” said Stephen. “I started a nonprofit called ‘Katie’s Crew.’ Its purpose is to raise awareness and support for cancer research. We will win this fight.”

Stephen says Katie’s legacy is all around him. And, her forward thinking, to ensure they had life insurance means the family is secure and protected.

“Chase, Reid, Riley and I can stay in our house. I’m so grateful for that sense of the familiar during this unbelievably hard time,” said Stephen. “Because Katie thought ahead, Chase and Reid can go to college. Their education is taken care of. We also have the financing to take vacations, and do fun activities. I know Katie would want that. Because of life insurance coverage, our boys are protected. My wife was right all along.”

And, as life continues to march on, Stephen says the joy Katie brought to the world continues to be recognized and celebrated by those near and far.

“She taught us so much. Taught us how to appreciate the small things, laugh whenever possible and love always,” said Stephen. "Her legacy will never be forgotten.”

State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI)

State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL

]]>releases,stories,LIAM,life insurance,State Farm Agent,Stephen Miller,Katie Miller,Ewings Sarcoma,health concerns,losing a loved one,legacy,Rose Goheen,Katie's Crew,cancer,fighting cancer,dogs,dog dadMon, 09 Sep 2019 10:53:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_useliam-731935.jpg?10000Are You Ready for Some Football Commercials?https://newsroom.statefarm.com/football-commercials-rodgers-and-mahomes/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/football-commercials-rodgers-and-mahomes/Rivalry and MVPs Rodgers and Mahomes Featured in New State Farm AdsThe 2019 football season kicks off with the storied Bears vs. Packers rivalry on Sept. 5. During a break in the action, the rivalry between Aaron Rodgers' sports agent and State Farm agent will also air in new "Agent vs. Agent" campaign ads.

Rodgers (Green Bay Packers quarterback) remains the target of the one-sided rivalry between his on-screen sports agent Gabe Gabriel and real-life State Farm Agent Patrick Minnis. This season, Gabe introduces his new client Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs quarterback) in an attempt to one-up his rival agent.

“I’ve been involved in a few different campaigns over the years with State Farm, but this latest is one of my favorites," Rodgers said. "It’s been fun to see how these agents of mine try and out do each other. And, having Patrick (Mahomes) making a few cameos will be a nice surprise for the fans.”

Gabe's attempt to make Aaron jealous by bringing on last year’s MVP is futile. Throughout the various ads, Gabe tries to show his value. Instead, he sets up the State Farm agent who demonstrates how helpful and understanding State Farm can be.

“I’m pumped to be working with State Farm and Aaron," Mahomes said. "I’ve been a big fan of their ads for years, so it’s really exciting to be joining the team.”

The ads will run on broadcast, social media, radio, and elsewhere until the conference championship games which start Jan. 19, 2020.

DDB Chicago created the “Agent vs. Agent” campaign. It shows how State Farm isHere to help life go right®.It offers the care of an agent who knows you, matched with technology that makes doing business easier.

In the News:

]]>stories,NFL,Marketing,Advertising,Aaron Rodgers,Patrick Mahomes,MVP,Packers,Chiefs,Green Bay,Kansas City,rivalry,agent,State Farm agent,sports agent,jealosy,Agent vs Agent,DDB Chicago,Tempe,AZ,WI,Wisconsin,Missouri,MO,Kansas,KS,Are You Ready for Some Football CommercialsThu, 05 Sep 2019 09:22:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-09-05-preview-commercial-666948.jpg?10000Affected By Hurricane Dorian? We Are Here to Help! https://newsroom.statefarm.com/hurricane-dorian-2019/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/hurricane-dorian-2019/Please continue to monitor local information. When it is safe to do so, make (or have a contractor make) temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home or property. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps, plywood or other repair supplies. Take photos/videos of damage for claim documentation.

]]>hurricane,disaster prep,natural disaster,natural disasters,safety,releases,home inventory,storm,stay safe,hurricane safety,hurricane prep,flooding,catastrophic rainfall,strong winds,wind,stories,panhandle,Dorian,Hurricane Dorian,tropical storm,North Carolina,South Carolina,NC,SCThu, 29 Aug 2019 06:54:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_090119doriansateyeeofflistock-1040975032-983902.jpg?10000Putting Good "On the Board" Ends Up on the Airhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/on-the-board-commercial-touts-acts-of-good/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/on-the-board-commercial-touts-acts-of-good/Employee and agent acts of good inspire national commercial.A day like any other took a different turn when a group of State Farm® employees received a big surprise. Their seemingly “ordinary” actions, contributed to an extraordinary story - one about the collective power of giving back and helping others.

“So you’re telling me, what we did…turned into a thing?” asked Cheryl Pisko.

Doing good is a powerful thing.

Pisko, is among a group of workers whose decision to volunteer served as the inspiration for a State Farm commercial. "On the Board"depicts a friendly competition between two employees.They do activities ranging from neighborhood cleanups, to wildlife conservation, charity fun runs, and supporting the fight against cancer. While the employeesare portrayed byactors, the acts of goodare real performed, bypeople like Pisko.

“Typically, I fly under the radar! But when I learned about an opportunity to record my actions and share those stories, I jumped in. It’s energizing.”

“Giving back is something many of us have been doing for a long time, we just haven’t always talked about it,” said Pisko. “This is a way to do that, and support coworkers in the process. But I never knew my submissions would receive national attention!”

Small acts can have a big impact.

Like Pisko, Customer Care Rep Shawna Meiners couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the commercial.

“I had to watch it a second time so everything could sink in! How cool to be part of something so special.”

From donations to fundraisers – Meiners says a little bit, goes a long way.

“Growing up, I was one of the people who needed help – and didn’t always get it. Now that I’m established, it’s my prerogative to give back. That’s why I give an extra dollar, stop to help someone cross the street, or donate clothes. What might be small to you, means the world to someone else. I know it. I lived it.”

Being a good neighbor feels good.

As they re-watched the national commercial, the acts of good triggered memories.

“The charity run for Parkinson’s!”

“I save turtles!”

“I support cancer research!”

But what stood out most to employees wasn’t one action. It was the underlying message.

“This isn’t about where we work or where we’re from. At the heart of it all is humanity,” said Pisko. “Acts of good create a generous spirit. And that spirit grows and multiplies and changes lives when we make a decision to help.”

“Anyone can make a difference,” added Meiners. "And maybe, just maybe, this commercial is what people need to put that lesson into practice."

Want to get involved in your community?

]]>stories,On the Board,Acts of Good,Neighborhood of Good,commercial,giving back,volunteerism,good,volunteering,good neighbor,Cheryl Pisko,Shawna Meiners,Customer care rep,neighborhood clean ups,wildlife conservatio,planting a tree,ad,state farm ads,helping others,good,good deeds,employees,agents,cancer,fun runs,save a whale,good neighbors,on the air,on the board,Putting Good On the Board Ends Up on the Air,inspiration,inspire national commercial,its onMon, 19 Aug 2019 11:31:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-08-19-preview-ontheboard-619548.png?10000What’s in Every Cupboard?https://newsroom.statefarm.com/whats-in-every-cupboard-home-inventory-c2s/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/whats-in-every-cupboard-home-inventory-c2s/Home inventory helps customers realize what’s been lost.Becoming one of the thousands of State Farm® customers who lost their homes when the Carr fire burned through Paradise, Calif., gave Agent Keith McBride appreciation for the power of having a home inventory.

“When you lose everything, it is natural to be so emotionally attached to the things that you have lost,” Keith says. “It’s a painful process to have to think about everything you lost.

“However, if you take the time to go room by room, opening cabinets and closets and taking pictures or getting it all on video, in a large catastrophe like this, it speeds up the process.”

Keith completed his own home inventory, as well as doing one for his mother. Many of 1,100 customers who filed claims, however, didn’t have one to refer to.

“It is a frustrating process when submitting a claim,” Keith says. “Think about getting asked about everything you own? How many pair of socks, shirts, shoes, pants.”

Santa Barbara, Calif., Agent Irene Henry helped a customer who had a total loss in the Jesusita Fire in 2009 update her home inventory with a smartphone.

“It’s important to update an inventory, or do one if you haven’t already, of the contents of your home” Irene says. “Whether taking pictures or video, or writing down an inventory list, you have that information. If you have a claim, an inventory will make it smoother and easier to process.”

Irene walked customer Mary Knapp through creating an inventory of the Knapp’s home on Mary’s smartphone, opening drawers and cabinets in the kitchen, closets in bedrooms and walking throughout the house recording every detail.

“It’s so important,” says Mary. “It triggers your mind because there is so much you could never be able to recall it later.”

Mary stored the inventory in her phone, and also has it on a backup hard drive. A home inventory can also be emailed to a customer’s agent.

“Recovering from the fires, it has been emotional. It still is,” Keith says. “But the claims were emotionally easier for customers who completed the inventory.”

]]>stories,c2s,neighborhood assist,grant,assist,sharp dressed man,nonprofit,donation,community,community involvement,nobillboardThu, 15 Aug 2019 10:14:34 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-08-16-preview-inventory-894634.png?63577Focus on the Finishing Touchhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/focus-on-the-finishing-touch/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/focus-on-the-finishing-touch/Taking a time out to send happiness through kind words and creativity.Confidence can make all the difference when interviewing for a job. And the right clothes can help you feel like you have the world at your fingertips.

That’s exactly what Christopher Schafer provides to men every Wednesday.

Christopher makes custom suits for a living in Baltimore. His passion for clothing, and the need to find an organization to donate unwanted suits, pushed him to create Sharp Dressed Man.

“I was bringing new suits to a client who had a couple bags of old clothes he didn’t want to wear because he told me I spoiled him with new custom suits. It was quite a compliment, but it came with trying to find a home for these clothes,” Christopher says.

Christopher discovered many organizations provided everything for men who were in need of a job – resume building, practice interviews and setting interview appointments – but they didn’t have the clothing to make the right first impression, so he created his own nonprofit.

“At Sharp Dressed Man, we focus on the finishing touch. Other organizations are bringing us guys going through a transformation, and we’re there to send them out the door to their interviews,” he says.

Sharp Dressed Man has suited more than 8,000 men, and is on track to dress 2,000 men this year. The men come to Sharp Dressed Man with a referral from a partnering organization. Every Wednesday at noon, Christopher sees a line of men stretching down the street. And all of them are waiting for a suit.

“We bring the guys back one at a time, working one-on-one with a stylist who measures them, sizes them and finds options. I want them to try the suits on for fit.

“If the clothes fit, we’ll give them all kinds of stuff, but they have to have clothes they want to wear and feel confident in.”

Sharp Dressed Man received a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist® Grant in 2018 to help impact more lives in their community. Part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good® initiative, State Farm Neighborhood Assist is back for its eighth year in 2019. The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood education, safety and community development projects.

The grant helped keep Sharp Dressed Man open.

“The grant covered our overhead costs – paying the rent and electric bill – and we got a new spot. It’s really hard to focus on trying to help people when you’re worried about paying the bills,” Christopher says. “Now, we can work on planning for the future.”

The State Farm Neighborhood Assist® voting phase runs from Aug. 14-23. During this phase, the public can vote up to 10 times a day for their favorite causes from the list of 200 finalists. The 40 causes that receive the most votes will each win a $25,000 grant. Winners will be announced Sept. 25. For a complete list of the top 200 causes or to vote for a cause, visit the Neighborhood Assist website starting August 14.

]]>stories,c2s,neighborhood assist,grant,assist,sharp dressed man,nonprofit,donation,community,community involvementFri, 09 Aug 2019 08:53:10 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-08-12-preview-assist-887264.png?10000Searching for Missing Treasurehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/searching-for-missing-treasure/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/searching-for-missing-treasure/When the producers of a popular TV series about a lost Civil War treasure came calling last summer, Rob Proctor wasn’t too surprised.

After all, his great-great-grandfather, Gen. Benjamin Pritchard, led the Union cavalry regiment that captured Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, just months after the Civil War ended in 1865.

“The general was regarded as a Civil War hero in his hometown of Allegan, Mich.,” says Rob, who works for State Farm® in Atlanta. He now lives less than 200 miles from where Davis was captured in Irwinville, Ga. “Legend has it that my great-great-grandfather hid some Confederate gold in or around his house in Allegan. Or at least that’s always been part of our family lore.”

This legend is part of what drew the TV show’s producers to Michigan. This is the second season of the show, which follows a hunt for $2 million in lost Confederate gold believed to be worth as much as $140 million today. The alleged treasure was rumored to be ferreted away by Confederate President Jefferson Davis on the run from Union soldiers.

On the series, treasure hunters track down clues based on research and interviews with relatives.

“After Jefferson Davis was arrested, it was rumored my great-great-grandfather was under orders from Col. Robert Minty to help steal Davis’s six wagons filled with Confederate gold,” Rob says. “He was to help hide the wagons until the gold could be laundered in Muskegon, Mich., philanthropist Charles Hackley’s gold mines in Utah some 30 years later. They also were reported to have dumped a box of gold bars into Lake Michigan.”

Rob was featured on the episode of titled, “The Pritchard Connection.”

“The episode was based on conspiracy, corruption and greed. They have theories about the lost treasure but no proof it ever existed. It’s reality TV so I think they may sacrifice a little historical accuracy to make it more entertaining,” he says. “I have doubts the Confederacy had $2 million in gold at the end of the war because they basically were broke. Confederate soldiers were said to have not been paid in quite a while.”

Before the Civil War, Gen. Pritchard was a school teacher and an attorney. Upon his return to Michigan, he was the state land commissioner and opened the First National Bank of Allegan.

The producers came to the Pritchard House in Allegan with machines to examine the three acres surrounding the house and the basement for hidden treasures and tunnels. Rob was at the dig even though he sold the family home in 2007.

“They found two coins and a 3-foot space under the bricks in the basement but no gold,” Rob says. “I’m not sure how much gold could be hidden in a 3-foot space. I guess the legend continues.”

]]>storiesTue, 16 Jul 2019 15:50:24 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_pritchard-903286.jpg?45981Mailing Appreciation and Supporthttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/cards-of-hope/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/cards-of-hope/Taking a time out to send happiness through kind words and creativity.Kate Goering found a way to take her desire to do acts of good to her entire department.

“It had been weighing on my heart to do something good, and I wanted it to be something that could involve my department,” the State Farm® employee says. “We’re all so busy, but I wanted to build the team environment and do something good for the community.”

Kate’s brother-in-law serves in the Army. On deployments, Kate and her family would send him care packages.

“He always said how much he cared about getting those.”

Friends of the family have suffered from childhood cancers, and learning the joy a simple card or gift would bring those children touched Kate.

Kate set up a station to create cards for deployed soldiers and hospitalized children at a table in the department. She invited employees to take time to write or design notes of encouragement or appreciation.

“It’s something we could do at the office during huddles. I suggested it could be a good stress-reliever,” she says about the note that went to all of her co-workers. “When I sent the note, people reached out and thanked me for doing this because they felt like we could touch more people with a collective act.”

Kate set a goal of 100 cards by the end of June. Her department surpassed that goal, creating 169 unique cards.

“Not sure how artistic they really are, but I was able to use my imagination, de-stress and hopefully bring a little bit of cheer to deserving people.”

Kate plans to send the cards for soldiers to Operation Gratitude to be distributed to soldiers, per her brother-in-laws suggestion. For the children’s cards, Kate decided on Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas.

“People said making the cards is a stress reliever, because when you feel good about something you’re doing, it makes you happy,” Kate says. “It’s been such a special project for our department and I know it struck a chord with many people.”

]]>stories,community involvement,Shriners Hospitals for Children,Operations of Gratitude,cards of hope,Gavelston,TexasFri, 05 Jul 2019 10:34:44 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-07-08-story-cards-199265.jpg?10000‘I Did It, Mommy’https://newsroom.statefarm.com/education-assist/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/education-assist/When 28 students walk across the stage to receive their degrees, they won’t be alone. In addition to their families and friends, these individuals have been supported along their educational journey by State Farm®.

Georgia State University Perimeter College – Decatur created the Learning, Income and Family Transformation (LIFT) program in 2017 with the support of State Farm. The program aims to improve student success rates by combining data-driven academic advisement and support with scholarships, employment opportunities and leadership training.

The first of the State Farm Scholars are expected to graduate in the next three semesters at a rate of 85 percent – five times better than the university’s overall graduation rate. The support from State Farm for the LIFT program has likely transformed the lives of these students and their families.

“The State Farm Scholars’ journey over the past two years has been nothing short of inspirational,” says DeWayne Griffin, Enterprise Technology Executive – Data. “It’s a proud moment to witness them and their families’ excitement, as well as playing a part as an organization in helping them realize their post-secondary educational dreams come true.”

State Farm Education Assist, part of the Neighborhood of Good®, provides funding for a series of full-ride scholarships for these State Farm Scholars. The program expands staff support, supports emergency grants to help students cover life’s necessities, funds a mentoring program and supports financial literacy programming for students and families in South DeKalb communities.

State Farm employees volunteer time and expertise to these programs and students through professional development and networking opportunities. State Farm agents provide internship opportunities.

“The GSU LIFT/Education Assist is a unique public-private partnership that has been and will continue to be instrumental in transforming lives and creating a path for upward economic mobility in South DeKalb County,” says Mark Robinson, Philanthropy analyst. “The fact that education is the driver of this work is absolutely consistent with who we are as an organization.”

The LIFT program will be scaled to each of Perimeter College’s campuses this academic year because of the success at the Perimeter College – Decatur Campus.

She donated blood for the first time last year following a harrowing experience with her husband, Kenneth Brooks.

Kenneth was feeling under the weather and could not get an appointment to see his doctor for six weeks.

“We were just waiting on the appointment,” Amy says. “One night, I heard a crash and found my husband on the bathroom floor having some type of seizure. The thought of losing my husband… I lost it.”

She called 911, and her husband was conscious before they arrived, but still wasn’t right. After getting her daughters placed with a neighbor, Amy met her husband at the emergency room.

“I explained the seizure. After several hours, I stepped out of his room. When I came back, it looked like a bomb had gone off. There were things thrown everywhere. He had another seizure,” she says.

After running blood work and doing scans, they found the problem: a bleeding stomach ulcer.

“Normally, when you have a bleeding ulcer, you show signs. We had no indication,” Amy says. “His blood count was really low, so they immediately got blood for him.”

When receiving blood, as long as it’s the same type (A, B, AB or O), your body will accept it. But Kenneth needed a lot of blood.

“It wasn’t his exact blood type, so his body was rejecting it. We called the Red Cross and they typed his specific blood type, but couldn’t find any donations available. They said it could take two or three days,” Amy says.

The doctors couldn’t get the bleed to stop and they had to pump the new blood out. Kenneth was put on a ventilator and sedated.

“It was hard knowing I had to wait for something you would think would be so simple, that gives life so easily,” Amy says.

At the 25th hour, they found an exact match.

“I’ve never been so relieved. We did a little happy dance.”

It’s been a year, and Kenneth is still recovering.

“Eventually, we got the ulcer fixed. They had to remove half of his stomach because they couldn’t stop the bleeding. Losing that much blood, people don’t realize how much weaker you get. He’s still not 100 percent,” she says.

A few days after Kenneth’s recovery, Amy was leaving the hospital and saw an American Red Cross worker delivering blood to the hospital.

“I went up to him and I said, ‘It probably wasn’t you, but I’m going to thank you anyway. Because of people like you, my husband is still alive.’”

Amy had never given blood because of medical conditions she thought restricted her.

“I was wrong. I can donate as long as I’m healthy. The next time the Red Cross came to my office I invited my peers to donate in the name of my husband because they saved his life. It was nice to give back.

“You don’t think your life will change in an instant, but it can.”

State Farm® is partnering with the American Red Cross Missing Types campaign for the second year.The campaign focuses on the need for blood by requesting people “fill in the missing types” of A, B, AB and O blood. Partners can promote the campaign by removing those letters from logos and communications. Schedule a donation to help fill in the missing types.

Based on customer feedback, version 3.0 has new features that make it easier to own your driving experience and impact your auto insurance rate by using technology to improve your driving habits. You also get an instant discount of about 5 percent for enrolling in the program.

To get started, a customer simply downloads the Drive Safe & Save app and affixes a Bluetooth beacon to the windshield behind the rearview mirror. No user interaction is required to record the trip as long as the driver’s smartphone is in the vehicle and the Bluetooth and location services are active.

]]>stories,Drive Safe & Save,mobile,DSS,Auto,Safety,innovation/technology/researchTue, 11 Jun 2019 12:13:12 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_drive-safe-save-160426.png?10000A Space to Bloomhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/perennial-a-space-to-bloom-neighborhood-assist/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/perennial-a-space-to-bloom-neighborhood-assist/Deja Cooper is a creative, energetic force. Never one with close family ties, she was surprised to find family through outreach programs in St. Louis.

She found safety and skills there, too.

Deja participated in the Outreach Program through Perennial, a nonprofit that teaches creative skills by reusing materials to make something new. Perennial partners with local programs supporting women in transition, such as former prisoners or survivors of domestic violence or homelessness.

“When we started Perennial, I had done work that served former prisoners and homeless vets. I found it was a fundamental tie to what they were going through – trying to rebuild their lives and transferring that into fixing something and being creative with it,” says Perennial Founder and Executive Director Jenny Murphy.

When Deja first started coming to the shop, she knew exactly what she wanted to make.

“She has really great ideas. Often times, we have people who are more timid. She was ready to create,” Jenny says. With the help of Jenny, Deja made a colorful display for her sunglasses.

“The Outreach Program is a safe space,” Deja says. “With the life experiences I’ve had, I’ve been searching for places I could feel safe. That’s exactly what Perennial is for a lot of women.

“Honestly, it’s going to sound clichéd, but everyone at Perennial is family.”

Jenny founded Perennial as a way to provide a space for people to reuse old, broken, castoff materials and make something new and useful with them.

“My background is in art, so I had this foundation of experience that allowed me to find uses for discarded materials. Without much money for resources, I could make spaces and clothing I wanted,” she says. “There’s so much trash, so I wanted to find a commercial application for it where it’s a community project to educate people and teach those skills.”

Perennial hosts classes for a slew of DIY projects – from home and garden to sewing and fashion to woodworking, upholstery, textiles. Not only do participants get a great piece they made, they can take those new skills and apply them elsewhere.

“Everyone comes from different backgrounds there, but you would think we grew up together. We find common ground and that makes us realize we’re not that different. We all love art,” Deja says.

“Perennial, in so many ways, has saved me. Being from this city, it’s something I never knew was here. It makes me look at my city completely differently. We do have these amazing programs and now I know that. I’m grateful, eternally grateful, for what I’ve gotten out of this program,” she says.

Perennial received a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist® grant in 2018 to help impact more lives in their community. Part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good® initiative, State Farm Neighborhood Assist is back for its eighth year in 2019. The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood education, safety and community development projects.

Cause submissions will be accepted starting June 5 and will end once 2,000 submissions are reached. The voting phase will follow from Aug. 14-23, where the public can vote for their favorite cause from the list of 200 finalists. The 40 winners will be announced Sept. 25. To submit a cause, visit the Neighborhood Assist website.

]]>stories,perennial,state farm,neighborhood assist,grant,reuse,outreach,women,st. louis,nonprofit,upcycle,good cause,tactile,workworking,deja,deja cooperMon, 03 Jun 2019 06:00:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_perennialscreenshot3-225174.png?10000Guaranteed Peace of Mindhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/smoke-alarms/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/smoke-alarms/For several people, peace of mind was the main driver behind making an appointment with the American Red Cross to receive free smoke alarms.

“My mom is 82 years old and her smoke detector was not working,” says Barb Fowler, Normal, Ill., resident. “She’s had a stroke since we made the appointment to get it installed. Now we want to get everything in order for her to come home and recover.”

Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events are part of the Home Fire Campaign with the American Red Cross. During a recent effort in Bloomington and Normal, Ill., volunteers worked alongside fire departments and other local groups to canvass at-risk neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, educate families about fire prevention and safety and fundraise.

State Farm® partners with the American Red Cross for the Sound the Alarm campaign to educate community members on fire safety while providing a free smoke alarm to help keep them safe in the future. State Farm has provided charitable support to the American Red Cross and chapters throughout the country for the past 30 years, totaling more than $37 million, including investing in the Annual Disaster Giving Program.

“The video the firefighter presented during training and interactions we had with people throughout the event made me realize how starting a fire and causing mass destruction could happen quickly. But preventing and keeping our families, friends and people in our community safe is a duty for us all,” says Smit Shah, State Farm employee and volunteer.

This year, the American Red Cross' national efforts to install free smoke alarms and educate residents on fire safety have made more than 50,000 households safer. More than 120,000 smoke alarms were installed across more than 100 at-risk communities.

Bev Kilmartin, Normal resident, saw an ad in the local newspaper about the program.

“The batteries went out on my old smoke alarms, and I realized we’d had them for at least 10 years. When I replaced the batteries, I noticed it wasn’t working correctly, so I decided to call and make an appointment,” Bev says.

“As a widow, it gives me a sense of security,” she adds. “If there is this type of program available, we should take advantage of it.”

“Everyone we encountered was friendly and appreciated us coming to assist them with this task,” says Tim Trunnell, State Farm employee and volunteer. “It was a great way to give back to the community and have fun.”

Normal resident Joe Nicklin contacted the Red Cross for an installation appointment because he knew his smoke alarm wasn’t working properly.

“When I light a fire in my fireplace and smoke gets into the house, the alarm doesn’t go off. That made me feel anxious,” he says. “I sleep with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, so I sleep pretty soundly. I needed some peace of mind.”

“After visiting the homes and installing alarms, it makes you realize how unaware people are of the importance of smoke alarms and how these inexpensive devices can help save a precious life,” Smit says.

]]>stories,community involvement,smoke alarms,Bloomington,Illinois,Ill.,American Red Cross,Sound the Alarm,fire safety,fire alarm,safety planThu, 23 May 2019 10:52:26 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_sound-the-alarm-preview-606140.png?10000Reliable Ridehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/reliable-ride/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/reliable-ride/Damaged vehicles repaired and donated to the carless.Reliable transportation is a challenge for many. For those living in bigger cities with access to public transportation, it’s not a big deal. But, for those outside of large, metropolitan areas, having a car can make all the difference.

The National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides™ program works with insurance companies, body shops, vendors and more to provide renovated cars to those who need it.

“The Recycled Rides program is an amazing collaborative effort for the collision repair industry,” says Linda Sulkala, National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program manager. “We collaborate with insurers, body shops, parts vendors, schools, everybody. We have a great wealth of membership we can call upon to help the mission of the National Auto Body Council.”

The body shops, parts vendors, paint shops and more donate their time, labor and equipment while repairing vehicles for the Recycled Rides program. State Farm® partners with the National Auto Body Council to provide vehicles for the Recycled Rides program.

Eric Showalter, lead collision repair instructor at Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, Kan., teaches students the skills needed in the car repair world. His shop works on cars for Recycled Rides recipients.

“Anything we receive for Recycled Rides goes back on the street,” Eric says. “Working on those cars is training for our students to build their skills and confidence.”

Students in the program get hands-on instruction from people in the car repair field. They also participate on the committee that reviews applications for the refurbished cars.

“We’re building hands-on skillsets for automotive technicians, but we’re also building community service, outreach and connecting them with student ambassadors,” Eric says.

Once the car has been found and repaired, a recipient is chosen.

Samantha Brooks, Impact Living Services site supervisor for Harrisonburg, Va., works with at-risk youth from the foster care system in her area. Impact Living Services specifically works with children who age-out of foster care at 18, but choose to stay in the system until they turn 21.

“We take youth that are eligible and have a certain level of responsibility and independence. Once they are accepted, we get them an apartment and help them set goals. For a lot of them, it’s the first place they can call their own. Foster care is not something any child chooses, so for the first time, they are making a choice to be somewhere purposefully,” Samantha says.

Samantha says most youth rely on public transportation for daily needs, such as grocery shopping and getting to work or school. For those in a smaller area or who have to travel farther, a car would be helpful.

“Having a car would be very empowering for a lot of them,” Samantha says. She learned of the Recycled Rides program, and had a candidate in mind.

“William is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. He will do anything for anyone. He’s a completely selfless, generous human being. He’s had a lot taken from him in his life. I think sometimes the universe gives back what it has taken from you, and I think this is one of the ways he’s able to receive good will and fortune,” Samantha says.

The 20-year-old had a 1986 Chevrolet Impala that was not reliable to get him to school and work.

“This brings a smile to my face,” William Ritchie says. “No matter who you are or where you are, there is a community to help you out. You are never alone.”

]]>stories,recycled rides,national auto body council,car repair,collision repair,partnership,community involvement,VirginiaTue, 07 May 2019 14:36:27 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_recycledride-456654.jpg?27047Put ‘Em Uphttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/put-em-up/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/put-em-up/Knocking out the competition and putting food on shelves.Jamie Hornbaker has the canned goods in her corner. The Topeka, Kan., State Farm® agent is putting up a fight to be crowned the champion of insurance agents competing to donate the most food to Project Topeka.

Jamie is entering the ring with Farm Bureau Financial Services Agent Derrick Hodam to encourage more donations to the nonprofit that fills the shelves of seven local food banks in the Topeka area.

“Every year, Project Topeka does a February food drive launch because the shelves are depleted after the holidays,” Jamie, who is the food drive campaign chair for Project Topeka, says. “They were looking at doing things differently this year and wanted someone to be a community cheerleader. That’s where I come in.”

Jamie brainstormed how she could make the food drive bigger and better. What better way to do that than turn it into a competition? Insurance agent versus insurance agent.

“Let’s put our competitor right up there next to us,” Jamie says. “Why not? It benefits the local economy. We employ people in the community, sponsor local Little League teams and promote food drives. What could we do to bring more to Project Topeka?” she asks. “Let’s do something funny and fun. I wanted to do an agent face-off – Farm vs. Farm. Two community members. It all came together perfectly.”

Her rival, Derrick, was on-board from the start. The two agents made a video promoting the face-off. Imagine this: two insurance agents getting ready to rumble, throwing it all down for a chance to win the glory of donating the most food and money to Project Topeka.

“The more reach we can get, the more we can educate on hunger and how it affects children and the elderly,” Jamie says. “We all win, and that’s important. If somebody calls me about insurance because of the video, that’s a win for me, too, but not the goal.”

At the food drive kickoff event, Jamie began by talking about the barrels located in the community to drop off food. Then she pretended the two agents didn’t have the whole competition planned and called Derrick out in front of everyone.

“I said, ‘Aren’t you an insurance agent for the Farm Bureau? Derrick, I’m going to call you out.’ People in the audience gasped, and then we played the video and everyone started laughing,” Jamie says.

Jamie likes having fun, but she likes promoting good causes even more.

“I want to do these things in our community because it makes my heart happy. Being out there and helping the community helps me become better known as an agent, too,” she says. “Being involved in local nonprofits is a way to have an impact. We like to win, have fun and be involved. I like being part of this community.”

Jamie and Derrick are going into Round Two of their battle, which will end April 30.

]]>stories,community involvement,donations,Food Bank,Project Topeka,Neighborhood of Good,competition,food drive,Topeka,Kansas,Kan.,KSWed, 17 Apr 2019 11:19:11 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-04-18-preview-topeka-365451.png?10000Shaping the Culture: How to Find and Retain Volunteershttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/2019-national-volunteer-month-millennials/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/2019-national-volunteer-month-millennials/Millennials shed light on what motivates them to give backIn November of 2017, State Farm conducted a study on volunteerism to identify those most likely to volunteer as well as the conditions or situations where volunteerism rates are highest. State Farm surveyed approximately 3,100 U.S. adults aged 18 and older and weighted the data to match proportions in the U.S. by generation: Millennials (18-34), Generation X (35-50), Baby Boomers (51-70) and the Mature Generations (71+). This study follows a survey conducted the previous year that provided insights on how to inspire and cultivate volunteerism.

*Source: Pew Research Center tabulation of U.S. Census population projections released December 2014 and 2015 population estimates.

]]>“It opened my eyes to the cultures, causes and needs happening across the country. I gave back because I wanted to branch out beyond my current work/life bubble and get my name out there.”

This is the excitement 28-year-old Daniel Lopez felt after being given the opportunity to volunteer with his company for a national crowd-sourced philanthropic program. “Like Daniel, I volunteered so I could see good things happening,” added 34-year-old Whitney Totheroh. “I knew my actions could make a positive difference for others.”

Last summer, both Lopez and Totheroh participated on a committee comprised of nearly 120 young business professionals at State Farm® who volunteered their time to make an impact on communities across the United States. Their work was part of the State Farm Neighborhood Assist® program. Now in its eighth year, Neighborhood Assist awards 40 causes around the country with a $25,000 grant each to support education, safety and community development projects. Committee members like Lopez and Totheroh were tasked with reviewing the submissions sent in by causes.

Totheroh says the stories she read were inspiring. “Seeing the good work people are doing in their neighborhoods broadened my horizons. They are identifying problems and making the choice to make a change.”

Lopez agreed, adding the volunteer opportunity with Neighborhood Assist also helped him professionally. “Being on the review committee, I developed a stronger work ethic, better time management and gained more perspective about the world around me.”

The experiences of Neighborhood Assist Review Committee members like Totheroh and Lopez affirms a recent survey by State Farm, stating that certain factors, including showing impact and career development opportunities, can influence volunteerism among Millennials.

According to the study, 66% of Millennials surveyed reported volunteering at least once in the past 12 months. While Millennials had a higher incidence of volunteering, they did it less often than the Baby Boomer and Mature generations. Considering national trends, the findings are noteworthy. Millennials now surpass Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the United States.* As a result, they have the biggest potential to influence volunteerism.

“I feel like there are a lot of Millennials who do something for a short time, and then move on,” said Lopez. “Maybe it’s because they don’t know how their effort is paying off. For me, Neighborhood Assist was different. I got to help communities across the country by reviewing their causes, then witness which ones got grant funding. That was really rewarding.”

“It’s so important to highlight people in this world that are doing good things,” added Totheroh. “Put good out, and you get good back in.”

Echoing the feedback of young professionals like Lopez and Totheroh, the study revealed opportunities forcareer development and showing the impact of one’s work played key roles in motivating Millennials to volunteer.

Other factors included:

Getting social: More Millennials visit websites to learn about volunteering than any other generation.

The more the merrier: Being able to participate with friends or meet new people plays a large role in a Millennials’ willingness to volunteer

Knowledge is power: The prospect of gaining expertise in a certain area or learning a new skill, inspires more Millennials to give back.

Opportunities nearby: Millennials agree, they’re more likely to get involved if the organization or non-profit is close to their home or job.

“It’s about finding your passion," said Totheroh. “The opportunity to learn, be with friends, and meet new people are all perks of volunteering. Sometimes I think young people may not know how, or where to start. But one thing’s for sure. For me, the best part about volunteering is knowing I helped someone else. That’s time well spent.”

April is National Volunteer Month! To share volunteer opportunities, or find ways to give back, visit NeighborhoodofGood.com®.

]]>stories,volunteerism,National Volunteer Month,National Volunteer Week,State Farm,Good Neighbors,Global Youth Service Day,Here to Help,Bloomington,IL,Illinois,millennials,volunteer,State Farm Neighborhood Assist,Daniel Lopez,Whitney Totheroh,giving back,storiesTue, 09 Apr 2019 09:00:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_040919ntnlvolunteermonthneighborhoodassist-hi5-849844.png?10000A Gift of a Lifetimehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/a-gift-of-a-lifetime/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/a-gift-of-a-lifetime/Live organ donation saves a life.Living with the anxiety of uncertain health for years, the Barrett family was ready to share their story in early 2018. Ainsleigh Barrett posted the story on Facebook of her husband’s 15-year battle with a degenerative kidney disease called Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.

Her post boldly asked for a living kidney donor to be sent their way, so Jason could avoid dialysis and enjoy a healthy life with Ainsleigh and their young children, Connor and Avery.

Robert Sharp, who knew of his neighbors four doors down through an association with Cub Scouts, read the post. They had known each other only a few years since Robert moved to the Atlanta area from Charlottesville, Va. Yet, Robert couldn’t shake Jason’s story.

“She put out a call for folks to consider the living donation process,” Robert says. “There was something about it that just connected with me. The more I thought, the more it occurred to me that this would be a part of him for the rest of his life.”

Unbeknownst to the Barretts, Robert began researching the long process of kidney donation.

“My wife, Lynda, could see that I was committed to and felt called to do this,” Robert says. “We figured out the logistics to make it work.”

About one-third of transplanted kidneys are from living donors. The average wait for a transplant is three to five years. The process to determine compatibility was extensive.

“They run every test on you can imagine,” says Robert, a 19-year State Farm® employee. “They want to be sure it’s going to be a good match.”

About four months into the process, Robert was still proving to be a match. It was finally time to share exciting news with the Barretts as Jason neared Stage 5 kidney failure.

Nearly a year to the day of Ainsleigh’s post, Jason and Robert were getting ready for surgery at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

“It’s humbling and incredible at the same time,” Robert says. “We have the medical technology to take a living organ from someone and put it into another human being and it begins to work immediately.”

Robert and Jason both work in underwriting at different insurance companies.

“Robert and I share quite a bit in a common, and I am truly blessed to know him,” says Jason. “The admirable thing about Robert is that even if I’d never met him and he saw my story, I truly believe he still would’ve donated.”

More than two months since the donation, Robert and Jason are doing fine. What’s more, Robert says the process was educational for him as he’s discovered many misconceptions about kidney donation.

He says there have been no drastic changes to his lifestyle.

“The only significant change I’ve had to make is I can’t take ibuprofen,” he says. “I had to switch to acetaminophen for minor pain relief.”

Robert encourages others to learn more about the option of live kidney donation. “By choosing to be an organ donor on your license or donating blood, you can help others struggling with medical needs,” he says.

“I will occasionally have a phantom pain in my left side where they took the kidney. Beyond that, I feel no different today than I did the day before the surgery.”

And, Jason continues to do well.

“We were sitting around about a week later and Jason said he felt better now than he could ever remember feeling,” Robert says. “When you’re in the situation he was in, you don’t remember what normal or good felt like.

“It was such a good thing to be a part of.”

]]>stories,community involvement,organ donation,kidney,Atlanta,GA,GeorgiaMon, 08 Apr 2019 11:05:45 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_kidney-feature-920652.jpg?10000State Farm® Dog Bite Claims Decreased in 2018 https://newsroom.statefarm.com/prevent-dog-bites-claims-decreased-in-2018/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/prevent-dog-bites-claims-decreased-in-2018/National Dog Bite Prevention Week is April 7-13, 2019The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.
]]>Owning a pet is a big responsibility. Dog owners are responsible not only for the health and safety of their pet, but also protecting people from injury. Most dogs will never bite but it is important to remember that any dog, regardless of breed or type, can bite under certain circumstances. Over the last year, dog bite claims have decreased. In 2018, State Farm paid $123 million dollars for 3,280 dog bite and injury claims. This is a decrease of 9% compared to the number of dog bite claims in 2017 and a decrease of 7% in the amount paid.

State Farm is a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® (April 7-13, 2019) Coalition. The insurer joins the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), and American Humane to draw attention to dog bites and ways to reduce injuries to people and pets. State Farm is also one of the few insurance companies in the country that does not have a breed restriction list and does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. Under the right circumstances any dog might bite.

Information from the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition

American Veterinary Medical Association estimates there are approximately 78 million dogs in U.S. homes and each year 4.5 million people are bitten or injured by dogs. “Even the gentlest dog can bite if they are in pain, feel threatened, or are competing for resources such as food or space,” said Dr. John de Jong, AVMA President. “Not only is it important to understand how dogs behave, it is important to understand how a dog may interpret our behavior.” AVMA’s ‘Jimmy the Dog’ video series lets preschoolers look at how a dog might interpret different scenarios.

Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reports that dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for nearly one third of all homeowners liability claim dollars paid out in 2018, costing $675 million. An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide decreased to 17,297 in 2018, compared to 18,522 in 2017– a 6.6 percent decrease. The average cost per claim increased by 5.3 percent. The average cost paid out for dog bite claims was $39,017. in 2018, compared with $37,051 in 2017.

American Humane says that dog bites are a double tragedy affecting both people and animals. “A dog bite can have a devastating effect not only on the victim, but on the dog, who may be euthanized,” says Robin Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane. Because of the high risk involving dogs, babies, and children, American Humane offers a free online booklet called Pet Meets Baby that provides families with valuable information on introducing a new child to a home with a dog.

Professional perspective from Dr. Marty Becker and Victoria Stilwell

State Farm believes that educating dog owners about being responsible will help reduce dog-related injuries. The insurance company focuses on educating people and pet professionals about dog body language and safely interacting with dogs by working with two of the most prominent experts in the field of dog training and veterinary medicine; celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker.

“Dogs don’t just bite ‘out of the blue’. Most bites are a perfect storm of situation and circumstance, but because dogs’ physical and vocal language is frequently misinterpreted or signals are missed, people often put themselves or others at risk and dogs are blamed as a result,” says Stilwell. “Education is the only way to reduce dog bite incidents in this country, which is why I am proud to stand alongside State Farm and other members of the coalition, to raise awareness about this issue and to educate people about dog bite prevention.”

“As a society we increasingly consider dogs to be family members and rely on them for unconditional love,” says Dr. Becker. “A clearer understanding of canine behavior and how our own actions can make us safer is essential if we want to continue to benefit from the presence of dogs in our daily lives.”

Tips on being a responsible dog owner

NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is a family pet. Children are often bitten by dogs in their own household.

Make sure your pet is socialized so it feels at ease around people and other animals.

Walk and exercise your dog on a leash to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.

Regular veterinary visits are essential to regulating the health of your dog. A sick or injured dog is more likely to bite.

Be alert. If someone approaches you and your dog, caution them to wait before petting the dog. Give your pet time to be comfortable with the stranger.

Understand and respond to changes in your dogs’ body language. Look at the eyes, ears, tail, and posture to know when your dog may be happy, fearful, or angry.

When it came to my baby girl riding the bus to preschool, I imagined so many scenarios – terrible crashes, outlandish kidnappings (I read too many spy novels). But I never imagined the one scenario that has happened TWICE since she started school.

The roads and sidewalks in my subdivision were snow-covered and slippery. It was just after 7 am, sun shining meekly. My daughter, Morelia, and I slowly made our way to the bus. We were at the end of our driveway – looking both ways, as we have to cross one lane of traffic– when we heard the bus driver blast the horn.

A young driver, clearly reading her phone with her head down, nearly drove straight through the bus’s arm and stop sign.

We all make mistakes. It is so easy to get distracted. But if I wasn’t paying attention, or the bus driver noticed too late, I might not be writing this story. My silly, sweet little girl might not be here at all.

As the young driver looked up at the scene, she saw Morelia and me – and the bus with lights flashing - just feet from her car. She looked mortified. I hope that feeling, that close miss, sticks with her. Her life – not to mention ours - would have changed forever. I hope she will drive safer and be more aware. I hope she will put down the phone.

Not five school days later, similar road conditions and scenario, another driver in my subdivision DOES stop but has an adult tantrum. He’s so angry. The bus driver literally gets out of the bus and stands in front of the car so he cannot drive through the stop sign.

The whole process of the bus stopping, Morelia getting on and settled, and the bus taking off takes three minutes at most even on the iciest of days. I could not believe this person got so angry and animated. Did he really think getting to wherever he was going was so much more important than a child’s safety?

I wondered if my two experiences were common. I reached out to my cousin who is a school bus driver in the Dallas – Fort Worth area. Unfortunately, it is very common. He often sees aggressiveness toward buses, people driving distracted, and drivers not stopping all together.

Fortunately, my cousin has never been involved in an accident. But not everyone is so lucky. In October 2018, an Indiana family’s worst nightmare came true. They lost three children, their six-year-old twin boys and their nine-year-old daughter, in a horrific bus crash.

I cannot even begin to imagine the pain felt since that terrible fall day. That of the parents and family, their town, the bus driver, the school, the list goes on.

The incident drew national media attention. It spawned local legislative and safety discussions, but it seems tragedies like this do not change behavior. Just a few days later, another child was tragically killed. What will it take for the young distracted driver who nearly blew through a bus stop sign and the man who felt his time took precedence over my daughter’s safety to learn the error in their ways?

Every day approximately 84,000 people/cars illegally pass school buses. That's 15 MILLION violations a year, according to 2018 national survey.

What can we do about it? I’m very fortunate my employer, State Farm, cares about safety. They allowed me to “take over” this site for a day to share my story, and more importantly, share tips that could help prevent future tragedies. Maybe we can’t change everyone’s behavior. But the more we share this story and tips, the more aware people will be. Please join me in sharing this important information.

Bus Safety Tips

For Parents of Riders

Wait with the little ones at the bus stop. Ensure you and your child are visible at the stop as well.

Teach your kids to stand - at a minimum - three giant steps from the curb and board one at a time.

Teach your kids to wait until the school bus completely stops before getting off, and always walk in front of the bus, not behind.

If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, teach them to take these three actions:

make sure the bus driver sees them,

take five giant steps in front of the bus,

then cross, only when the driver gives them the go-ahead it is safe,

And of course, teach them to look both ways before crossing the street.

Teach your child the importance of behaving on the bus – any distraction can cause the bus driver to lose focus and could result in a crash.

For Drivers

Be aware of your environment. Know your neighborhood. Be cognizant of kids. Take alternative routes that do not go by schools, etc. if you are in a rush. (Seriously folks, it’s not like you’ve never seen a school bus or it’s all that shocking that a bus is picking up kids at 7:30 in the morning on a Monday!?!)

Follow the speed limit (and the LAW) especially in school zones and at bus stops.

Slow down and prepare to stop if a school bus is flashing its lights. This means the bus is preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off.

Slow your roll. Three minutes is not worth the potential life-changing consequences for a child, or you.

The shareable, interactive image below shows more tips when you hover over the "+" signs.

]]>stories,stories,auto safety,bus safety,pedestrian safety,bus,blog,mommy blog,takeover,school safety,mom blog,parents,school bus,ILL,IL,IllinoisFri, 29 Mar 2019 12:44:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_1909672-057-147432.jpg?10000Teaming Up to Make a Differencehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/teaming-up-to-make-a-difference-c2s/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/teaming-up-to-make-a-difference-c2s/Nearly half a million children in Metro Atlanta live in communities with low child well-being, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Many of their “littles” rarely leave their neighborhoods.

So when Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta sent a group of bigs (big brothers or sisters) and littles (the children they mentor) to an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm® Arena, the kids got an entirely different view of their city.

“A lot of our littles go to school and come straight home. An event like this exposes our littles to things they might not normally be exposed to,” says Kelci Sleeper of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. The organization’s mission is to recruit volunteers to become mentors to children facing adversity. “Many professional basketball players come from similar backgrounds as some of the children we serve. So it can be inspirational to see those players up close.”

“State Farm invited local Atlanta nonprofits that we have a relationship with to attend a game or special event at State Farm Arena,” says Lonnie Smith, State Farm manager. “It has been a great way to show our gratitude for their work in local communities. The nonprofits, including their leaders, staff, and, in some instances, the clients they serve, have appreciated this opportunity.”

“It was amazing. The kids had great seats. The dance team came to their section and one of the kids was on the dance cam,” says Brandon Riley, East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club executive director.

The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta works with kids and teens to provide an environment where they feel safe to dream, discover and develop.

“Experiences like this gives the kids a sense of how things can be if they work hard. A lot of them want to be basketball players and seeing players they look up to is wonderful,” Brandon says. “It helps that they get the chance to experience these things.”

]]>stories,teaming up,bbbs,atanta,doing good,volunteer,nobillboard,big brothers big sisters,boys & girls club,atlanta hawks,state farm arena,nonprofits,neighborhood of goodMon, 25 Mar 2019 09:55:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_ben-knight-keshaun-allen-120958.jpg?10000State Farm® teams up with America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Beckerhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/state-farm-teams-up-with-americas-veterinarian-dr-marty-becker/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/state-farm-teams-up-with-americas-veterinarian-dr-marty-becker/Fear Free™ sponsorship helps life go right for petsThe mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.

About Fear Free:

Developed by “America’s Veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker, Fear Free offers online and in-person education to veterinary professionals, the pet professional community, and pet owners. Fear Free provides both professionals and pet lovers alike with the knowledge and tools to look after a pet’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Veterinary or pet professionals can learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified by visiting fearfreepets.com. Pet owners can visit fearfreehappyhomes.com to access cutting-edge courses, articles, and videos to help improve the physical and emotional health of their pets right at home.

]]>As the largest property and casualty insurer in the country, State Farm insures the homes of millions of dogs and cats. To help improve the emotional and physical health of pets, the insurer is working with Fear Free, an educational program to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.

“Veterinarians, pet professionals, and pet owners alike want animals to have happy, healthy, full lives,” says Fear Free founder and CEO Dr. Marty Becker. “The problem is that humans and animals don’t speak the same language. When an animal is scared or in pain, we can’t explain that we’re helping them, so we have to show this through gentleness and species-appropriate actions.”

Since 2016, Fear Free has provided online and in-person education to more than 40,000 veterinary professionals, pet professionals, and pet owners. Fear Free programs provide pet owners and professionals with the knowledge and tools to look after a pet’s physical and emotional well-being.

“Understanding your pets’ emotions can improve their health and happiness and reduce the risk of injury to them and to people,” says State Farm assistant vice president Joe Strupek. “If State Farm can help responsible pet owners and pet professionals with resources to improve the quality of life for pets, we also improve the quality of life for pet owners. Then we truly are helping life go right for every family member – two-legged and four.”

Veterinary or pet professionals can learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified® by visiting fearfreepets.com. Pet owners can visit fearfreehappyhomes.com to access courses, articles, and videos to learn how to improve the physical and emotional health of their pets at home. Fear Free Happy Homes members also get access to monthly deals and a directory of Fear Free Certified Professionals.

State Farm and Animals

State Farm is one of the few insurance companies that doesn’t have a breed restriction list and doesn’t exclude insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. State Farm is involved in other programs to help four-legged family members and the people who care about them.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week – National Dog Bite Prevention Week is April 7-13, 2019. To draw attention to the importance of responsible pet ownership and educate people about interacting with dogs, State Farm and members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition come together each year to share tips on reducing dog-related injuries.

Kindness is Powerful - Celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell teaches children the value of kindness to people and animals. Sponsored by State Farm, the program also educates kids about how to interact with dogs.

State Farm Arson Dog Program – Since 1993, State Farm has been providing funding for the acquisition and training of more than 400 arson dog teams across North America. The program helps law enforcement locate evidence of arson at fire scenes.

Neighborhood of Good - Neighborhood of Good connects people with their passion, such as animals, through volunteerism. Together, we can turn caring into doing.

]]>releases,dogs,animals,ILL,IL,Illinois,Kindness is Powerful,Dr. Marty Becker,Veterinarian,Loss Mitigation,Home Safety,Safety,Fear Free,pets,pet safety,pet professionals,arson dogs,neighborhood of good,community involvement,storiesMon, 25 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_glory2-774073.jpg?10000Setting an Examplehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/setting-an-example/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/setting-an-example/Many parents get involved in their child’s school by volunteering to help with field trips or joining the parent/teacher organization.

Deatria Walker lent a helping hand with a program at her son’s school that she was very familiar with – Junior Achievement.

“Volunteering is important to me. My son’s school sent out a request for volunteers for the Junior Achievement program. Since I was involved in the program as a high schooler, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get involved in his school,” the Cincinnati, Ohio, agent says.

For Deatria, Junior Achievement sparked her interest and motivated her to attend college. A recent Cincinnati high school graduate had a similar experience.

Ty’ron Little participated in the JA Personal Finance program in eighth grade and the JA It’s My Future program in high school. He put the information he learned through these programs to use to get a job, open a bank account, buy a car and get into Miami University.

Junior Achievement featured Ty’ron in a video and asked Deatria to pose as the small-business educator.

“I got to talk to Ty’ron and get the back story of what he had gone through with his mom and family members. He wanted to set an example for his little brother. He said Junior Achievement helped him stay focused,” Deatria says.

“We realized what a unique and wonderful story Ty’ron had,” Laura Randall-Tepe, vice president of strategic relations for Junior Achievement of OKI Partners – Cincinnati/Dayton/Richmond, says. “We know there are kids engaged in the program and from the program. They’re introduced to strategies and concepts they didn’t know or hadn’t picked up.”

Deatria wanted to give back to her community, and Junior Achievement was a great way to do that.

“It’s a blessing I have this career. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher. Although I’m a State Farm® agent today, I’m able to fulfill that need to help educate and pass on the knowledge I’ve learned to benefit someone else,” she says.

“I think it’s our responsibility to reach back and give as much as we can to someone who needs assistance,” the 10-year agent adds. “There were so many adults who helped me when I was a student and didn’t have much. Now it is my time to help take care of others.”

]]>stories,community involvement,Junior Achievement,volunteering,100 for Good,doing good,giving back,neighborhood of good,OhioMon, 18 Mar 2019 09:47:38 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_junior-achievement-524764.jpg?10000Hail Happens: Stay Safe During Severe Stormshttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/top-10-states-for-hail-damage-claims-2019/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/top-10-states-for-hail-damage-claims-2019/State Farm releases top 10 states for hail damage.The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.
]]>There are approximately 3,000 hailstorms in the U.S. every year. Hail often occurs during severe weather patterns, such as strong thunderstorms, causing billions of dollars in damage to buildings, vehicles, and crops annually.

In 2018, State Farm paid more than $2.7 billion for more than 280,000 auto and homeowners insurance hail damage claims.

Here are some tips from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to keep you and your family safe during a hailstorm.

In an Automobile

Stop driving. If you see a safe place close-by (like inside a garage, under a highway overpass or under a service station awning), drive to it as soon as you can. Make sure you pull completely off the highway.

Do NOT leave the vehicle until it stops hailing.

Stay away from car windows. Cover your eyes with something, like a piece of clothing. If possible, get onto the floor facedown or lie down on the seat with your back to the windows.

Put very small children under you and cover their eyes.

In a Building

Stay inside until the hail stops.

Stay away from windows.

Account for all family members, building occupants, pets, etc.

Do not go outside for any reason.

To avoid the danger of electrocution from lightning, avoid using phones and electrical appliances during a severe storm.

Outside

Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that may suddenly fill with water.

Seeking shelter under trees should be a last resort. It is common during severe storms for trees to lose branches.

The shareable, interactive image below shows more hail facts when you hover over the "+" signs.

]]>releases,hail,hailstorm,damage,safety,spring,weather,states,auto,home,natural disasters,weather perils,hail claims,severe storms,insurance losses,insurance claims,roof damage,storiesMon, 18 Mar 2019 00:01:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_031819hail-hail-field-cullman-stones-01002-249227.jpg?10000These Women Are Going To New Heights…Literally https://newsroom.statefarm.com/women-drone-pilots/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/women-drone-pilots/Female State Farm employees are going higher, further and faster as drone pilots. Dedication. Adaptable. Intelligent. Pilot. No, this is not a story about a certain superhero by alien explosion/ DNA fusing.

As State Farm launched their new drone program to better assist customers after storm damage, they needed to recruit and train employees to become drone pilots. And they wanted the best of the best.

To the surprise of no one, Jessica Hodge, Joy Hillsman-Caffie and Shelley Cole rose to the top of the list. They are three of the six drone pilots for State Farm who are women.

The news of her selection came as a shock to Jessica, an eight-year State Farm claims specialist.

When I found out, I was excited and up for the challenge,” shared Jessica. “I consider myself an early adopter of the technology. State Farm is one of the first insurance companies to use drones and I’m one of the first drone pilots for State Farm. It’s cool to be on the cutting edge.”

Shelley had worked in Claims for just shy of 30 years when she was tapped on the shoulder to join the elite team. She was enthusiastic about the new adventure.

“It’s been quite the experience. It makes me feel like I’m really leading the way for other women,” Shelley said. “It also gave me a bit of an upper hand. As a female catastrophe claims specialist (which is a male dominated role), working with contractors (which is a male dominated job), being a drone pilot gave me a different level of respect.”

Joy is one of the lucky people in the world whose hobby became a career. After she heard about the drone program, she decided she wanted in. Recently introduced to drones herself, the 13-year employee made a few phone calls and advocated for herself. She officially passed her license test in the fall of 2017.

“Having to fight for something you want makes it sweeter. It’s also very cool being one of the women drone pilots at State Farm,” shared Joy. “We are really at the forefront of the industry and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Even better, her son who loves all things tech, thinks she’s pretty cool, too. “He says I’m one of his super heroes.”

]]>stories,drone,drones,claims,insurance,innovation,international women's day,women's day,technnology,pilot,catastrophe,women,female,2019,Ill.,IL,Illinois,fixed-wing,eBee,quadcopter,Kespry,all-womenThu, 07 Mar 2019 14:21:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_030819jessicahodge.claimsspecialistanddronepilot-maap-sf-2732reduced-926725.jpg?10000Taking a Standhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/taking-a-stand/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/taking-a-stand/Family injured in drunk driving crash helps change Virginia law.A crash on a country road in Virginia could have been the end of life as they knew it.

Instead, it was the beginning of a campaign to protect victims of drunk driving crashes.

In November 2017, Amanda Petrylak, a State Farm® employee in the Charlottesville, Va., Operations Center, was headed home with her 8-year-old daughter, Claire.

Driving down the road that leads to their subdivision, she watched as the truck in front of her swerved to the right.

Before she could react, a car coming toward her in the wrong lane slammed into her car head on.

Amanda had multiple injuries, and Claire spent 10 weeks in a head and neck brace that restricted mobility.

Ironically, the decision not to insert a rod and fuse the breaks in her daughter’s neck changed the charge for the intoxicated driver who hit them from a felony to a misdemeanor.

“We learned the way the law was written has not kept up with medical advances,” Amanda says. “In Virginia, in order for a DUI accident to be a felony, the victim has to suffer permanent damage.”

Today Amanda and Claire have healed physically.

“Claire is doing the stuff she loved to do before,” her mom says. “But sometimes things that remind her of the crash trigger her emotions.”

Amanda and her husband, John, have struggled, too. Working with their local delegate, they attended hours upon hours of hearings, petitioning for the law to be changed so a victim of a crash caused by an intoxicated driver does not have to suffer permanent damage for the charge to be a felony.

They testified before the House of Delegates’ Courts of Justice subcommittee, Senate Courts of Justice Full Committee and the Senate Finance committee.

Their efforts paid off. On Feb. 23, the Virginia General Assembly passed HB1941, making it a felony to drive drunk and seriously injure an innocent person.

“We’re still in shock, but so happy this is now a reality,” Amanda says. “Our goal was to keep other victims from going through what we’re experiencing. We are so thankful to the General Assembly for listening to us and helping protect other victims of drunk drivers.”

]]>stories,auto,Virginia,law,accident,DUI,CharlottesvilleThu, 07 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-03-05-preview-crash-393654.png?10000Small Jar, Big Impacthttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/donate-peanut-butter-to-food-pantries/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/donate-peanut-butter-to-food-pantries/21,000 pounds and counting: State Farm employees provide peanut butter to food pantries.Just as a jar of peanut butter is a staple in home pantries, it’s equally important in community food pantries. Due to its long shelf life and nutritional value, peanut butter is a highly sought-after food to help hungry communities. That's why the jars on the shelves in food banks typically run out long before their expiration dates.

“Peanut butter can be expensive for food banks and food pantries to purchase yet it’s a power house of nutrition,” said, Tara Ingham, Executive Director for the Midwest Food Bank, “Especially in times of disaster relief it’s convenient, doesn’t take much preparation – and it packs a ton of nutrition.”

According to the National Peanut Board, a two tablespoon serving of the nutty spread packs seven grams of protein and more than 30 essential vitamins and minerals. With an average cost of 16 cents per serving, peanut butter makes a nutrient-rich addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

That’s why State Farm employees across the U.S. united to help stock food pantry shelves. In less than one month, they collected more than 18,000 jars of peanut butter, totaling more than 21,000 pounds. The donations were distributed to food pantries across the country.

Catrena Smith, an Illinois employee, worked with her department to collect more than 100 jars.

“This peanut butter drive is a wonderful opportunity to contribute and give together as a team,” said Smith. “It’s amazing to know our collective effort at State Farm will help feed many.”

Looking for ways to get involved in your community? Whether it’s giving a jar of peanut butter, or giving your time to a local organization - the State Farm Neighborhood of Good® can help. Visit www.NeighborhoodofGood.com® to find causes that matter to you – right in your neighborhood.

]]>stories,food pantries,food pantry,feed the hungry,peanut butter,national peanut butter lover's day,peanut butter month,Midwest Food Bank,State Farm employees,donate,volunteer,Neighborhood of Good,Good Neighbors,Midwest Food Bank of Georgia,The North Texas Food Bank,United Food Bank,St. Mary's Food Bank,Nourish Food Bank of Murfreesboro,The Food Pantry Network of Licking County,DuPont,Washington,Murfreesboro,Bloomington,Phoenix,Dallas,Atlanta,Small jar,big impact,Small jar big impact,donate,food bank,hunger,Tara Ingham,Catrena Smith,PBThu, 28 Feb 2019 11:47:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_030119pbdrive-721692.jpg?56718Books Open the Eyes of the Imaginationhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/books-donated/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/books-donated/Read Across America Day offers opportunity to give back.The pages of a book take its reader on an adventure through time, enhance knowledge and open the mind to new ideas and perspectives.

National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of author Ted Geisel, who we all knew growing up as Dr. Seuss. Created in 1998, the National Education Association estimates 45 million parents, students and educators across the country will participate in

a day dedicated to raising awareness and challenging children and young adults across the United States to read.

A team from State Farm® was in Dallas for a meeting earlier this year. The team was looking to turn an act of good into a team-building opportunity.

“We wanted to spend some of our time together giving back to the local community,” says Claims Manager Rashawnda Harvey. “But when we looked at NeighborhoodofGood.com®, there weren’t any opportunities still available over the course of the meeting.”

They were not dissuaded. They turned their search to local online news outlets. They discovered the City of Dallas was running a book donation drive to ensure children staying at Dallas Life, a Dallas homeless shelter, had books.

“Everybody coming to the meeting brought two books each,” Rashawnda says. “We had a great variety, from preschool age to young adults in high school; educational books and fun children’s stories, some history and others that featured animals.”

They presented more than 35 books to the shelter.

Dallas Life Executive Director Bob Sweeney said they often see children come to the shelter unsure why they are there. Then they sit up on a bed, open a book and become transformed to a place that lets them know they are going to be OK.

“We genuinely appreciated the opportunity to really make a difference,” Rashawnda says. “I selected children’s stories that were centered on Black History, and a fairy tale about the journey of a little girl throughout her life. I looked for books to give these children an opportunity to escape their current reality and have some fun, and a book they could identify with.”

“In a world with so much turmoil, to be able to give back to the community in such a unique and thoughtful way is what makes us human,” says Claims Manager Krista Spader. “I have three children. When my youngest leaves for school I still say things like, ‘Be Kind – Be Bold!’ and I get the older kids to be the change you want to see in the world. This reinforces in them I am walking the walk.

“The smallest gestures have the largest impact,” she adds. “Even when it is one person at a time performing one act of good at a time.”

To help children in Bloomington, Illinois, and Minnetonka, Minnesota, stay warm as they play and make winter friends, State Farm donated 10,000 hats and gloves. The company facilitated the donation through local organizations well-versed in helping children.

In Bloomington, State Farm Agent Axel Jimenez worked through the local Promise Council to coordinate the distribution of the winter wear.

The Promise Council serves 13 schools in Bloomington-Normal. The Council’s goal is to remove barriers to learning and give every student the chance to achieve success through education. One of its main pillars of focus is meeting the physical needs of students. These needs can often stand in the way of academic achievement.

“It is our responsibility to take care of the children in our community. I would want help available for my kids if I was not able to provide for them directly,” Jimenez said. “We need to pay it forward!”

Hats & Mittens serves Minnetonka and surrounding communities in the same way. Founder Rebecca Sundquist's team raises money and collects thousands of hats and mittens for homeless children. Their work also increases awareness of smaller and emerging non-profits serving children.

“If a child sees the world as a warm and welcoming place, they can survive and thrive.” Sundquist said. “When they feel physically and emotionally cold, they can get lost in a cycle of despair. At Hats & Mittens, our mission is to warm bodies and hearts - creating a more welcoming world for kids everywhere.”

State Farm agrees. It encourages its employees and agents, like Axel, to participate in its Good Neighbor Grant and Matching Gift Programs.

The company also encourages everyone to turn caring into doing through the Neighborhood of Good. Find and volunteer for the causes that matter to you – right in your neighborhood.

]]>stories,hats and mittens,Neighborhood of Good,good neighbor,Bloomington,Normal,IL,Promise Council,Normal West Community High School,State Farm Agent Alex Jimenez,State Farm Agent,Minnetonka,MN,Minnesota,Rebecca Sundquist,Hats & Mittens,non-profits,children,stay warm,warmingFri, 22 Feb 2019 15:19:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_021919axeljhelpswithsorting-551126.jpg?10000Celebrating Pacer Stylehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/celebrating-pacer-style/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/celebrating-pacer-style/In 1976 America celebrated its 200th anniversary. Examples of patriotism could be found all across the country, even the four-wheeled kind.

Agent Dick Soens, Kenosha, Wis., proposed a unique way to mark this momentous occasion to a group of fellow Wisconsin agents.

“We contacted American Motors Corporation (AMC) that operated out of Kenosha at the time,” says Agent Joe Werwie, Kenosha. “We asked if we could spark enough interest to purchase a special order vehicle, could they create an exterior design for the car that would represent both the Bicentennial, and State Farm®.”

Eleven agents and the group’s district manager, John Reindl, placed their orders for the car of choice, a 1976 AMC Pacer. The red, white and blue car would sport a Bicentennial emblem motif on the hood, and each agent’s name and State Farm logo on the side.

“We received them a few weeks before the Fourth of July which was perfect timing for our local parade,” says Joe. “Three of us were from Kenosha, including my father, Agent Joe Werwie Sr. The other agents were from neighboring cities, but all of the agents participated in the parade.”

Joe drove the plucky Pacer up until 2005. “It was fun when all of us would drive our cars to district meetings,” he adds. “We would draw a lot of attention.”

After deciding it was time for he and his Pacer to part ways, Joe had to decide whether to give it to one of his three children or sell it.

“I was speaking with a man I knew who had worked for AMC and built Pacers,” says Joe. “I mentioned I was getting rid of the car, and he ended up buying it from me. He loved that it was in the original condition and had been so well taken care of.”

The car’s new owner found out the Kenosha History Center was going to create an exhibit featuring red, white and blue cars. He promptly contacted the Center to get the Pacer its rightful place in the exhibit.

The custom Pacer is the only branded car Joe has owned. And the Chevrolet Suburban he drives today is a lot more car than the petite Pacer.

“It was an unusual style of car but it was fun to own,” says Joe. “I received a lot of calls from AMC workers who saw my car and appreciated the fact I supported their employer.”

Anyone who’s experienced a severe storm knows it can be overwhelming or even traumatic. Helping your family prepare in advance is a great way to alleviate some of the worry. The tips below, and this free downloadable coloring page, can spark the conversation in a fun way.

Make emergency preparedness a family affair. Get everyone involved before weather strikes.Talk as a family about potential weather hazards in your area. Once you’ve identified the risks, take these preventive actions:

Action: Create a Plan

Designate a meeting point if you get separated

Assign each family member responsibilities should a storm occur

Create a home evacuation plan

Maintain a home inventory in case of loss

Action: Make an Emergency Kit

Bottled water

Protein-rich food

Battery operated radio

Extra clothing

Flashlights

Blankets or sleeping bags

Action: Don’t forget about your pets!

Pack items in advance so your pet is also ready for the next emergency.

Saying yes to a family match through their local Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Al and Melanie turned caring into doing and changed many lives. In big ways.

And even half a decade later the relationship is going strong. Jacob comes over to their house on a Saturday or Sunday nearly every weekend. Now 12, Jacob “is a pretty awesome young man — polite, thankful, and never asking for anything. He blends in well with our family,” according to Al.

During Jacob’s visits, they do a variety of activities. Now that he’s in seventh grade, helping him with schoolwork is a focus area.

Al and Melanie have been helping Jacob develop more comprehensive thinking skills. “In the beginning,” Melanie says, “I sat down and read each question with him. It wasn’t that Jacob didn’t know the answer, but more that he didn’t know how to structure the answer.”

And homework time has become a family affair. Al and Melanie’s two older daughters, Izzy and Allie, help Jacob with homework too. “It’s good for the girls to teach someone,” says Al. “Which is when you learn how well you know something.” Aside from homework, they all spend time reading each weekend.

The Schellings aren’t only in this for the near term. They expect to see Jacob graduate from high school and are in it for the long haul. As contacts for Jacob’s teachers, Al and Melanie are able to track his academic and social progress.

But it’s not all about homework. Al and Melanie encouraged Jacob to get involved in a youth basketball program, which adds balance. Jacob is included in family vacations and even family pictures. Al and Melanie’s three daughters love him like a brother.

Recently, the Schellings were planning a movie outing. Their 11-year-old daughter’s first question was, “Is Jacob coming too?”. She didn’t want to go with her parents, but if her ‘brother’ was going, she would too.

Mentoring relationships take on many forms, and this relationship benefits everyone involved. In addition to Jacob’s adoptive mom, the family match program introduced Jacob to other adult role models who care about him and are committed to his success. And Al and Melanie indicate an unbelievable change in their lives.

Melanie says, “Our relationship with Jacob has helped us open up more to what kids want and need.” Al adds, “Jacob has never asked us for anything; he just wants to hang out.

“Helping kids has become quite normal for us. We are quite blessed to be able to effectively operate our agencies while taking time out to make a difference.”

“It’s amazing that we can have a successful business while following our passion,” Melanie comments. “We want others to get involved like we are. The commitment can be as little as 10 hours per month, but can have a monumental impact on a kid’s life.”

Other ways to get involved mentoring youth:

Participate in class/group programs (e.g. Junior Achievement, coach an after school activity)

Serve as a foster parent

Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to advocate in court for underserved children

]]>stories,ccommunity involvement,mentoring,Big Frothers Big Sisters,mentor,family relationship,family,relationship,volunteer,volunteering,Neighborhood of Good,act of good,Melanie Schelling,Al Schelling,Decatur,IL,Illinois,community involvement,State Farm AgentMon, 21 Jan 2019 08:00:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_011719mentoringhero-765513.jpg?10000They Had a Barrel of Funhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/barrel-of-fun/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/barrel-of-fun/It’s not uncommon for State Farm® agents to get unusual questions from customers. Teresa Grubbs knew there had to be an interesting story behind the inquiry she received last October.

“A customer called my office and asked if I had any pull with the State Farm Arena in Atlanta,” Teresa chuckles,” to which I replied ‘Uh, no, not at all.’”

The customer is the founder of the Dei Gratia International Training Center in Spalding County, Ga. The center helps international riders come to the U.S. to compete in National Barrel Horse Association racing competitions.

They had recently hosted Filip, their first rider from Slovakia and their first rider with Down syndrome. He started riding horses 10 years ago as therapy. Filip didn’t travel with his own horse, so trainers at the center provided horses for him to choose from to ride in the competition.

“Filip has won numerous awards and medals in barrel racing,” Teresa says of the 20-year old. “He won the gold and silver medals in the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2015, and in 2017 he won the Handicap Barrel Race World Championship.”

Filip came to the U.S. with his father and a film crew from a program called “V Siedmom Nebi,” which translates to “Seventh Heaven.” It’s a program that grants wishes to those with serious illnesses or physical challenges.

Besides riding in the barrel racing competition, one of Filip’s wishes was to go to an Atlanta Hawks basketball game.

“The program sponsor had purchased tickets to a Hawks game, but something got lost in translation,” explains the 30-year agent from Griffin, Ga. “They purchased the tickets for the wrong night and missed the game. He was only in the country about a week and this was the last thing on his wish list.”

That’s where Teresa came in.

“The customer, who had helped them with the barrel competition, asked if I would call State Farm Arena, explain the mistake and have the group’s tickets changed,” she says. “I didn’t have any way to do that, so I decided I would buy them tickets to the next home game.”

While attempting to help Filip and his group get tickets, Teresa spoke with Terrell, an associate at the arena. She told him about Filip and the special situation.

“He must have contacted someone at the facility who was associated with the Hawks because when Filip and the group arrived at the arena, they were treated to a meet and greet with current and former players, including Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.”

Filip had quite an ending to his Seventh Heaven trip to the U.S.

Teresa is a proponent for those who have physical or mental challenges.

“I never got to meet Filip, but I’m glad I could help him check off the final wish on his list.”

]]>stories,community involvement,C2S,Georgia,Atlanta,State Farm Arena,tickets,Down Syndrome,wish,Atlanta Hawks,Hawks,Slovakia,barrel,horseMon, 14 Jan 2019 11:05:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2019-01-15-preview-barrel-816112.png?10000Now Serving ‘Food for the Soul’https://newsroom.statefarm.com/now-serving-food-for-the-soul/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/now-serving-food-for-the-soul/The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.
]]>For most of us, Saturday mornings are saved for coffee and family time.

To others, Saturday mornings are for giving back.

For more than 20 years, a group of State Farm® employees has used their Saturday mornings to help those less fortunate. Waking up early, shopping for groceries, cooking and serving breakfast has been the norm for this group, and they’re content to continue.

Every Saturday in Bloomington, Ill., the kitchens at Salvation Army’s Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter and Home Sweet Home Ministries are busy with State Farm employees, including Mike Blaize and Tracey Vincent, who call themselves The Breakfast Club.

“It’s not easy to get up that early on a Saturday morning; it’s just very rewarding,” Tracey, a State Farm employee, says. “The residents always appreciate of the meal we provide and it’s a nice way to give back to the community.”

Mike has always enjoyed cooking for others, so when his family moved to the area and he heard about The Breakfast Club, he wanted to get involved.

“Moving here from Chicago and being new to State Farm, it was another way to connect to the community outside of church and recreational events,” says Mike, State Farn employee.

“For me, it’s food for my soul. I have all my physical needs met, this is something deeper,” he adds.

The Breakfast Club breaks up the tasks each Saturday. A crew leader is responsible for buying the ingredients that morning and ensuring everyone shows up for duty. The cost of ingredients is split among each volunteer, and usually adds up to about $15 a person. The first crew cooks the food, followed by the second wave who serves the residents.

The club is more than just a few hours volunteering on the weekends, it’s friends getting together to give back.

“I’ve gotten to know people from all different departments of State Farm through this,” Tracey says. “You get to work with the same people over and over again and people you wouldn’t normally come into contact with.

“It’s enriched both my personal and professional life.”

And on occasion, the volunteers have quality interactions with those they serve.

“Residents are often quiet and reserved, but on occasion you’ll get someone who really wants to talk and engage and you learn a little about them,” Mike says.

“A man was trying to express his gratitude and asked us questions about our jobs. He said, ‘If I had a car, I’d get State Farm insurance.’

“Those kinds of conversations keep me coming back.”

In the News:

Forbes: 4 Simple Things Every Leader Should Learn From Being Neighborly (9/28/18)

]]>stories,breakfast,club,volunteer,good neighbor day,chicago,coffee,eggs,pancakes,soul,community involvement,NOG,Neighborhood of GoodMon, 31 Dec 2018 10:52:38 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-09-28-preview-newsroom.png?10000Building Confidence in Each Otherhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/building-confidence-in-each-other/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/building-confidence-in-each-other/Arlene DiBenigno spent years working in government, but creating a space where women can build relationships and confidence in their abilities is her life’s work. She realized her dream when The Women’s Conference of Florida, 14 years in the making, launched in 2015.

“I worked for someone who was focused on ensuring women were included. I would call women who were capable and qualified for certain positions and nine times out of 10 they would turn us down. They said they didn’t think they were qualified,” the president and CEO of the conference says.

“It was difficult to get women to apply. That bothered me. I would spend time convincing women – women who were running companies and doing very well in the corporate environment – that they were qualified.”

Finally, in 2015, Arlene committed to creating a conference for women to learn from other successful women how to succeed in leadership, entrepreneurship and more. Arlene strives to find speakers and panelists in Florida who have cleared hurdles and are open and honest about how they achieved their success.

“It’s finding women like that who truly connect and do in a way women will react to,” Arlene says.

The conference also hosts the College Women on the Rise program. This program invites college women to participate in a day of workshops such as resume writing, interviewing skills and financial literacy, along with panel discussions with young, professional women.

State Farm® sponsors the college women to attend, this year sending 55 women. Before the conference, the students are asked to write a 500-word essay describing an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked a period of personal growth. State Farm awarded the top five essay writers a $1,000 scholarship.

Megan Morano attended the College Women on the Rise program and the conference, and took the advice she heard to heart.

“One of the speakers, Carla Harris said, ‘Fear is false evidence of things appearing real.’ For me, as a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), it opened my eyes that we don’t have to be afraid of what we want. It’s empowering to know I can walk into a room without fear and have the confidence to change what people are thinking,” says the Florida Polytechnic University student. Megan is a sophomore majoring in business analytics: logistics and supply chain.

Megan first became interested in STEM because of her older brother.

“He basically raised me and we bonded over stuff he was doing in college. I loved that experience and wanted to pursue it,” she says. “Being in the STEM field is interesting. Sometimes I’m the only girl in class, but I love a challenge and to be able to say I have ideas that are just as good as yours.”

Shreyam Ranjan, freshman biological sciences major at Hillsborough Community College, was motivated and inspired by the conference.

“There were so many successful women who could stand up for themselves and take charge of their own lives,” Shreyam says. “That made me want to attend the conference. Coming from a traditional Indian household, that’s opposite of the environment I grew up in.”

Shreyam wrote her essay about her traditional Indian upbringing and the culture shock after moving to the United States. Both Shreyam and Megan won a State Farm scholarship for their essays.

“I saw women taking a stand against the many injustices that women faced. I began to see how women are allowed to voice their opinions and provide for themselves financially, something I had never seen before,” Shreyam said in her essay.

Shreyam adds, “Being in the STEM field pushes me forward and makes me not feel afraid. Even if it is a male-dominated field, women don’t have to feel less. There’s so much more you can do and be.”

Arlene says the college portion of the program teaches important skills to women dealing with issues every day. “We show the importance of networking and how women can define themselves to someone else,” she says. ”The sessions are educational and provide them with the tools they need to leave the conference and go out and find a job or open an investment account or put together their resume.

“It is powerful for these young women to see there are women supporting them and focusing on issues we hope we can rectify so they aren’t encountering them when they are in the workforce. It’s helping them begin to start thinking about the next step and how to present themselves in a work environment.”

It shook the South Florida community of Cape Coral and reached the office in State Farm Agent Dawn Sullivan through team member Jeannette Mora. Jeannette’s son, Ely, plays on the same baseball team as the Gentile’s other son.

At the time of his drowning five years ago, the Gentiles had already purchased Alexander’s Christmas gifts. As the family coped and tried to recover from their unspeakable loss, they wanted someone to benefit from the gifts, so they partnered with the toy drive put on by the Cape Coral Police Department.

Those donations helped at least two families — the family in need that received the presents and the Gentiles.

Today, dozens are the benefactors of Alexander’s Toy Drive that Michael and Dawn Sullivan help with each year.

Alexander would have been 6 years old this month. This year, more than 100 gifts were given and distributed to 6-year-old boys in the area through the Cape Coral Police Department.

“There are a lot of people who are looking to help in this way during the holiday season,” says Dawn, a State Farm agent for 12 years. “Folks drop off toys at our office, and Ryan and Rachel come to pick them up and deliver them.”

Dawn and her husband, Michael, also a State Farm agent in Cape Coral, used their offices as drop points for community members to bring gifts.

“We have always helped various toy drives as part of the community and with State Farm,” says Dawn. “This one hit home because of the relationship between Jeannette and Alexander’s mom.”

Dawn and Michael helped market the toy drive by publishing lists of age-appropriate gifts and targeting the message at those who looking for ways to give.

“The best thing about it was a huge network of organized giving that came of it,” says Michael.

“It is a great opportunity to help a family we personally know,” says Dawn. “There’s no greater satisfaction for us than to help someone in a time of crisis. This family has done its best to turn a tragedy into something positive.”

]]>stories,toys for boys,cape coral,donations,tragedy,florida,dawn sullivan,gentileFri, 21 Dec 2018 07:44:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-12-20-toysforboys-725872.png?10000Honor Tree Takes Flighthttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/honor-tree-takes-flight/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/honor-tree-takes-flight/Seasonal memorial for troops greets airport visitors.Sergeant Anthony Maddox loved being in the U.S. Army. He had planned to make it a career.

He learned how to take orders, how to look others in the eye and how to lead. “It transformed him into a man,” says his father Jerome Maddox.

Anthony died at age 22 as a result of injuries suffered in fueling accident in Afghanistan. His awards and decorations included the Army Achievement Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Led by his stepmother, Frances Maddox, the Maddox family partnered with Americas Gold Star Families of Peoria, Ill., to remember fallen military heroes.

Frances worked to put a Fallen Hero Tree of Honor in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield in 2016. Hundreds of handmade ornaments hang from it with pictures of troops who died serving their country, and includes the hero’s name, rank, birth and date of death and branch.

“Each ornament is created to provide honor and remembrance for the fallen hero, but also brings healing for the families,” says Frances. “Never forgetting the ultimate sacrifice, and continuing to speak the name of the fallen hero is very important for each Gold Star Family”.

Serving as Tree of Honor chair for our Gold Star Families, “It has been a good healing process for us, and it helps many others,” she says.

A second Tree of Honor went up last year in the baggage claim area of the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, Ill. This year, 256 ornaments representing 40 states were placed on it to recognize our military heroes. Another tree stands at the Riverfront Museum in Peoria, Ill., and another in the Decatur (Ill.) Civic Center.

Another Gold Star parent, Vonda Rodgers of Bloomington, Ill., has a similar story as the Maddoxes. Her son, Army Ranger Sgt. Joshua Rodgers, was killed in action in Afghanistan last year.

“Putting a Tree of Honor in the airport brought even more awareness because of the foot traffic there every day,” says Frances. “That’s what the tree and ornaments are to bring awareness and healing.”

There are dozens of hero ornaments representing most of the United States, every military branch and all U.S. conflicts on the tree. Many of the ornaments are made by Frances’ 17-year-old daughter, Ambria. She was in the sixth grade when Anthony died in 2013.

“Being a Gold Star Family is not a club you want to be a part of, but there is a lot of love that goes into each ornament,” Frances says. “It is very personal for us.”

]]>stories,community involvementFri, 07 Dec 2018 14:58:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_honor-trees-preview-880455.png?10000Part of the Familyhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/part-of-the-family/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/part-of-the-family/Adoption is when the healing begins.There are nearly 438,000 children in the U.S. foster care system.

Several decades ago, Stephanie Hayhurst-Hall was one of them.

“I grew up knowing I was adopted and I always wanted to give back,” says the Clarksburg, W.Va., State Farm® agent.

Stephanie was adopted from the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. Six years ago, she and her husband, Jason Hall, decided to become foster parents through the same organization. The couple and their 5-year-old son, Carson, opened their home to two children.

“The adoption process can be emotionally taxing,” Stephanie says. “I can say that because I was adopted. You have to figure out how to deal with that your whole life. And there were times I didn’t feel good about it.”

A 7-month-old boy spent a bit of time with the family before permanently moving in with his biological grandparents. An 18-month-old girl found her forever home.

“We still have a relationship with the little boy and his grandparents. His grandmother sends us pictures so we get to see him grow up. It was so rewarding to help him reunite with his grandparents and still be a part of his life,” Stephanie says.

Stephanie and Jason got the call about their now daughter, Sophia, about two months after reuniting their first foster child with his grandparents. Their home is a foster to adoption home, which means any child they receive could potentially lead to an adoption.

“When you foster to adopt, you get a call out of the blue and they provide you with very minimal information about the child. You just have to follow your heart and take a chance,” she says. “The legal process to determine if the parents’ rights will be terminated to the adoption process took almost two years.”

Stephanie was open with her son about the adoption process and has been honest with her now 5-year-old daughter about her own experience.

“My parents were always open with me. When I was 5, I started asking questions and they answered them honestly. My children deserve the same honesty,” she says.

“It took several months to become a certified foster parent and Carson went through everything with us. We wanted him to understand that many children don’t have parents, shelter, clothes or toys. We wanted him to be empathetic with the children he goes to school with who may not have the things he has,” Stephanie says.

“As I’ve gotten older, I now realize what a gift adoption was, and I hope my daughter feels that way, too.”

The Hall family just moved to a new home and are feeling settled enough to begin the process of fostering again to adopt another child.

“We’re at a place where we want to welcome another child. We have the space in our new home and will be able to help a child who will be a good fit for our family.

“Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it often comes from a loss. A lot of children experience trauma, and adoption is where the healing can begin.”

]]>stories,community involvement,West Virginia,kids,adoptionTue, 27 Nov 2018 05:00:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-11-15-preview-adoption-590502.png?10000Stay Safe from California Wildfireshttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/nov-2018-california-wildfires/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/nov-2018-california-wildfires/The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.
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Customers impacted by the California wildfires can visit st8.fm/claim or call 1-800-SFCLAIM to file a claim.

Your agent can also help and give you more time to pay your premium if needed.

Problems paying your loan? Call 1-877-SF4-BANK.

If you suffered damage, file a claim:

When it is safe to do so, customers that need to file a claim should contact State Farm® to get the process started as soon as possible. Contact your agent, call 1-800-SF-Claim, go to st8.fm/claim or use our mobile application.

If you are a part of a mandatory evacuation:

Safety first: material things can be replaced but the loss of life or serious injury can’t be fixed.

Stay tuned: follow news reports and information from first responders.

Keep living expenses receipts: they may be reimbursable after meeting your deductible.

What to expect from the claims process: we will work with you closely to resolve your claim.

If you have not been evacuated but your home could become threatened: Time is of the essence.

Evacuation Plan: create it, discuss it and include where to go/reunite, who to call, etc.

Make a home inventory: document your personal possessions, because proof of ownership can make your claim settlement easier and faster. A quick video of each room can help a lot later on.

Back up your information: Back up vital photos, documents and financial information.

Create an evacuation package: put original vital documents and irreplaceable items (paper photos, family heirlooms, etc.) in one place so it is ready to go.

Talk to your agent: discuss your coverage needs, understand your deductible and the difference between the current market value of a property and its replacement cost.

Wildfires are causing more damage to homes and businesses each year. So far in 2018, there have been more than 51,508 wildfires*. These have burned almost 8.3 million acres and resulted in widespread damage, firefighter injuries, and the deaths of local residents.

Residents are encouraged to take necessary action with regard to wildfire safety and to take steps to be prepared for wildfire.

Anna Rogers, a granddaughter of a World War II B17 tail-gunner, met veteran Jim Simpson, who spent 32 years in the Navy including time as a submarine captain.

In September, they boarded an airplane together in Atlanta and made their way to Washington, D.C., for an Honor Flight with two dozen other veterans and their “guardian angels.”

Honor Flight is a program that flies military veterans and an accompanying guardian angel by commercial flight to the nation’s capital — at no cost to the hero. Together, they saw monuments and memorials built in the veterans’ honor.

Oftentimes, veterans are paired with people they have never met, as was the case with Anna, a P&C underwriting analyst in Dunwoody, Ga., and Jim.

“We hit it off from the beginning,” says Anna. “My father-in-law is retired from 20 years in the Navy. He was on a sister submarine that Jim was on. We had so much to talk about all day.”

Once on the ground in Washington, the veterans received a presidential welcome complete with red-carpet treatment at the airport and a police escort to the sights.

“There were hundreds of people there to meet us,” says Jim. “They put us on a bus to go to the memorials, and we spent the day together doing that. Anna took very good care of me.”

Most of the veterans on their trip served in Vietnam and Korea. Four were World War II veterans.

Anna says she clung to every story she heard.

“Most veterans don’t open up about their service experiences, because they think most don’t want to hear it,” says Anna, whose brother serves in the U.S. Army. “But they know someone is with them on this flight for that very reason, so they shared so much. I heard incredible stories I will never forget.”

The day began at 4:30 a.m. They returned home at 11 p.m.

“We just ran off adrenaline, happiness and excitement,” she says.

The night before the flight, Anna met Jim and his wife for dinner and looked over old pictures from Jim’s service. They have stayed in touch since the trip and both families have been able to meet each other.

“I’m sure most guardians haven’t done that for their veteran, Jim says. “She has been above and beyond.”

“What I wasn’t expecting was how much of a deep bond I would create with these veterans,” Anna says. “It was special and life-changing and has made me even more proud to be an American.”

]]>stories,community involvement,Washington D.C.,honor flight,WWII,veteran,Veterans DayTue, 13 Nov 2018 13:48:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-11-09-preview-honor-588409.png?10000A Lifetime of Good Workhttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/good-work/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/good-work/Communities flourish when people come together to make necessary change happen. This can be done on many levels, but often when children learn how to influence their community through positive change, it can mean a lifetime of good work.

Students across the nation have learned how to be environmentally conscious through the work of Earth Force, a nonprofit focused on educating teachers on how to build environmental community projects with their students.

“We target fifth to 10th grade students because that’s the age people start to develop their personality, belief systems, value systems, and where environmental work needs to happen to build environmentally educated people,” says Justin Zakoren, Earth Force program manager for the Denver, Colo., area.

Earth Force works with teachers to give them a framework for their classroom work, which guides students to ask questions, identify issues and create solutions.

“Service learning is the best way to learn because you learn by doing,” says Earth Force President and CEO Vince Meldrum. “We’re encouraging students to do things in their community and they come away with a base knowledge of how to influence their community. They create a skillset inside and outside the classroom.”

“We’re creating environmental citizens, but also creating students who can independently research issues and understand the distinction between policy and practice,” Justin adds.

One class of sixth graders from Rooney Ranch Elementary School put the Earth Force curriculum to work. Students took an inventory of their school grounds and surrounding community and found the storm water outlet behind their school was littered with garbage and graffiti. The students focused their energy on how to clean up the area and keep it clean.

“They wrote to the city to help cover up the graffiti and secured a trash can for the litter. In that process, they spoke to the mayor, invited the city’s public works department to the storm water outlet and made an agreement that they’d let the city know when the trash can needed to be emptied,” Justin says.

The following school year, the students came back and noticed the trash can was being used, but the graffiti was back, so they created another task force and decided to cover up the graffiti with a mural that would be covered with a clear coat of special paint that is graffiti-resistant.

“I liked this because a lot of times you come into situations where you have the issue, but the solutions are simplistic, and here they’ve thought it through with a solution that will stop it,” Justin adds. “The students have also reached out to the fourth-graders to ensure the work is continued next year.”

“We work with educators who are under so much pressure to train them on our model and help them translate that to middle school kids,” Vince says. “I have teachers who tell me learning the Earth Force model has kept them in teaching. It makes education what teachers hope it will be – fun. We evaluate our programs and find teachers do more projects and we see kids as assets to the community.”

“State Farm has been a big partner of ours. The grants we’ve received have allowed us to innovate and add another angle to the program and our State Farm partners have helped us identify community resources, volunteers and where we need to expand next,” Vince says. “There’s a credibility having an ongoing relationship with a company like State Farm.”

]]>stories,community involvement,nonprofit,students,school,environment,graffiti,ColoradoWed, 07 Nov 2018 11:15:00 -0600https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_environment-feature-573026.png?10000Open Enrollment: Time for a Financial Checkuphttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/open-enrollment-time-for-a-financial-checkup-2018/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/open-enrollment-time-for-a-financial-checkup-2018/The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers ofautoandhomeinsurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 millionbankaccounts.Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage forrenters,business owners,boatsandmotorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visithttp://www.statefarm.com.
]]>It’s open enrollment in the health insurance marketplace (Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, 2018) so now is a good time to review your health insurance needs. It’s also a great time of year for a Financial Checkup. Take a look at the products and services available to protect your family against the things than can go wrong so you can focus on making things go right.

Save for the future by learning about basic savings accounts, retirement accounts, and how to make compounding interest work for you. Use this calculator to help determine how much you should consider saving to meet your financial goals.

Health Insurance

Are you happy with your current health plan? Health status, premiums, deductibles, and even regulations may change over time. Be sure your health care coverage meets your needs. Take steps to reduce premiums with wellness discounts that may be available to you. And if you're on Medicare, consider options for a Medicare Supplement that's right for you.

Life Protection

Life insurance is the foundation of financial planning and security. It helps your family recover from financial risks and unexpected costs and lets them plan for tomorrow.

Thinking about financial protection and retirement can seem overwhelming, but as your life changes, so does your financial situation. Key life events such as marriage, moving or buying a home, children, job changes and retirement are important indicators that signal changes that might need to be made.

Disability Insurance

Car insurance? Check. Home insurance? Check. But have you protected one of your most valuable assets? Your paycheck

Among Americans’ top financial concerns is maintaining one’s standard of living in the event of a serious illness or accident. Disability insurance may help address this concern.

Long-term Care Coverage

70 percent of those age 65 or older will need some type of long-term care services during their lifetime.2 Have you thought about how you’ll pay?

1 State Farm Bank, F.S.B., Bloomington, Illinois (“Bank”), is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID 139716. The other products offered by affiliate companies of State Farm Bank are not FDIC insured, not a State Farm Bank obligation or guaranteed by State Farm Bank, and may be subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal invested. The Bank encourages any interested individual(s) to submit an application for any product(s) offered by the Bank. We also encourage you to obtain information regarding the Bank’s underwriting standards for each type of credit or service offered by visiting statefarm.com® or by contacting the Bank at 877-SF4-BANK (877-734-2265). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or do not use your voice to communicate, you may contact us via 711 or other relay services.

But her life changed forever in February. She now loves that she has the opportunity to learn to walk, and run, again.

Tina, a former State Farm® employee, was shot seven times by her estranged husband. At least one of those shots was to the head.

After some marital problems, Tina separated from her husband. He attempted to win her back numerous times. When he realized she was planning to pursue a divorce, he attacked her at her home.

“I was getting ready for work when he kicked the door in and came into my house,” Tina says. “He told me no one else could have me, and then he began shooting.”

Tina was in the hospital for 19 days, followed by inpatient recovery for six weeks, including reconstructive surgery on her hand. She then completed four weeks of outpatient work, and continues to have intensive physical rehabilitation three hours a day, three days a week.

“When I first woke up, I couldn’t feel anything below my waist,” says Tina. “Now I’m walking with a walker. I’m hoping in the next six months I’ll be back to walking on my own. I want to return to being a fitness instructor and a runner.”

The first two years of rehabilitation are when patients experience the most improvements, so Tina is hoping to make the most of her next two years. Tina ran six half-marathons in 2017. “In 2020, my goal is to run 12 half-marathons.”

Tina knows she has a lot of recovery ahead of her, but she’s celebrating her rehabilitation and the first responders who saved her.

“My niece wanted to do something for me, and she suggested we do a benefit race during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” Tina says. “I loved the idea. It benefits the North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network Inc. and the Cherokee Family Violence Center in Canton, Ga.”

The event included a 5K run, a 1-mile fun run, games and face painting. Tina shared her story and thanked the paramedic, EMT and police officers who helped save her during her domestic violence attack.

“It went well. We had 281 runners. I participated in the 1-mile run. I did most of it my wheelchair, but I walked across the finish line,” Tina says.

]]>stories,domestic violence,domestic abuse,gun violence,survivor,awarenessThu, 25 Oct 2018 14:57:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-10-26-preview-domesticviolence.png?10000Five Frightening Factshttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/five-frightening-facts-c2s/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/five-frightening-facts-c2s/Data breaches are a common occurrence. From stolen credit card information to phishing links, it's important to keep your information secure. Here are some frightening facts to ponder the next time you need to change your password.
]]>stories,c2s,cybersecurityTue, 23 Oct 2018 07:55:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-10-16-infographic-security.jpg?10000Hurricane Michael: We Are Here To Help!https://newsroom.statefarm.com/hurricane-michael-stay-safe-we-are-here-to-help/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/hurricane-michael-stay-safe-we-are-here-to-help/ATTENTION FLORIDIANS: Understand the issue of FL Assignment of Benefits (AOB). Click here to view the AOB Fact Sheet and Red Flag Checklist from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
]]>Please continue to monitor local information. When it is safe to do so, make (or have a contractor make) temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home or property. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps, plywood or other repair supplies. Take photos/videos of damage for claim documentation.

In The News:

WMBB Live in Panama Beach: The Panama City Mall parking lot has become a staging area for work crews. State Farm also has an insurance claim center set up, and mall staff say the mall is working to reopen.(10-15-18)

Located in New Jersey, the no-kill rescue is home to pit-bulls in need of loving homes.

Aladdin’s owner and Lilo’s Promise Community Outreach Coordinator, Michele Schaffer-Stevens says the soft items are a source of comfort for dogs in need.

“Having something like a homemade blanket makes a world of difference verses a concrete floor,” said Stevens. “It’s a touch of home for a dog who is waiting for its forever home.”

Aladdin knows what that’s like. In 2013, weighing just 18 pounds and missing teeth…he came into Michele’s life.

“He’d been treated so poorly by a human being. A pit-bull of his size should be about 48 pounds,” Stevens explained. “I took him in and cared for him. Today, Aladdin is a healthy, happy therapy dog who works in schools, with disaster victims, and hospice patients.”

The six-year-old pit-bull is also an ambassador for dog safety programs – and has worked with State Farm to promote responsible pet ownership.

“These are amazing, resilient animals,” said Stevens. “We love to pay it forward in the community, and working with State Farm amplifies our ability to create good in this world.”

The fleece blankets made for dogs in need are part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good®. The initiative, focused on the power of volunteering, encourages people to donate their time and talent to make a difference in their local communities.

To promote animal welfare, special volunteer events took place across the country. People were encouraged to visit a local State Farm Neighborhood of Good tent to make a fleece blanket for a rescue dog.

In New York City, the creative opportunity caught the attention of many passing by.

“It felt so good to be part of this effort,” said Kionna McClary. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you are creating a positive impact. Just five minutes can make a difference for an animal in need.”

McClary worked at the tent in New York City – assisting people as they created the soft blankets.

“This was a great learning opportunity for children and adults alike, said McClary. “Many asked how they can continue to stay involved. That’s when I told them about the Neighborhood of Good website.”

The website, www.NeighborhoodofGood.com® connects people to local causes in their community. By typing in their zip code and selecting their interest from a drop down menu, visitors can find a volunteer opportunity close to home.

“There’s something out there for everyone,” said McClary. “Whether that’s pets or music or the environment – it’s about discovering your passion and giving back.”

Interests on the Neighborhood of Good website include, (but aren’t limited to) education, arts and culture, technology, disaster and community services, animals and family services. For people with multiple interests - there’s an “All” category too.

“Many remarked how good it felt to volunteer,” said McClary. “Knowing they were making an impact for an animal in need was the highlight of their day. I’m excited to for more people to visit Neighborhood of Good to continue turning the power of caring into the act of doing.”

And for the dogs at Lilo’s Promise – Stevens says, the gift of a soft blanket, as they wait to find a loving home…is priceless.

“We are truly grateful for the kindness of volunteers. We couldn’t do it without them. A little love, goes a long way.”

]]>stories,community involvement,Aladdin the pit bull,pit-bull,dogs,Neighborhood of Good,New York,NY,Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue,community outreach,Michelle Schaffer-Stevens,fleece blankets,forever home,dog safety programs,ambassador,therapy dog,responsible pet ownership,pay it forward,create good in the world,volunteering,volunteer,donate,time and talent,make a difference,animal welfare,volunteer events,Kionna McClary,causes,turning the power of caring into the act of doing,soft blanket,kindness,little love goes a long way,volunteer opportuntiesThu, 27 Sep 2018 06:00:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_aladdincloseup.jpg?10000Community Revitalization Connects Students to Mentorshttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/community-revitalization-connects-students-to-mentors/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/community-revitalization-connects-students-to-mentors/When Mariecia Moore joined the Youth Builders Program through Project Petals in New York City, she already knew she wanted to be an architect. Encouraged by her high school architecture teacher, Mariecia discovered mentors who helped her realize the vast opportunities in her chosen career.

“I wanted to do architecture before the program, but Youth Builders really stimulated my interest. I learned there are multiple different jobs I could consider,” Mariecia, a freshman at New York City College of Technology, says.

Alicia White, Project Petals president and founder, explains the youth program shows students what their future career path could look like.

“We want to show them that if they don’t have a set idea of what they want to do, that’s OK. The Youth Builders Program connects young people to architecture, engineering and urban planning professionals throughout New York City,” she says. “We get professionals in a room to talk to young people about what they do and the paths they took to get there.”

Project Petals revitalizes and develops communities in need in New York City by bringing awareness to environmental and place-making issues that stunt development. The organization provides people with access to resources to help them prosper and advocates for progressive changes by creating sustainability and service within communities.

“I liked that they brought many different speakers, all of which were in different fields. Each had different jobs in the field, and it made me realize how many opportunities you can have. I learned more through those people and what their day-to-day activities were,” Mariecia says.

Kids from all over the city attend the programs. Project Petals is working with schools to have more success with young people.

“Kids from under-resourced communities are connected with these mentors through the workshops. They’re able to connect and receive guidance and recommendations from them,” Alicia says. “We had so many young people who would come out and volunteer. We had designers come to design a project and people were really interested, so I thought it would be a great idea to connect them with those who were doing the plans.”

Mariecia first got involved in 2017.

“Project Petals was warm and inviting,” Mariecia says. “They always wanted to hear your interests and how you were doing meeting those goals. They would ask you to talk to the speakers who shared your interests and opened you up to different opportunities.”

“Mariecia is very involved in her community,” says Alicia. “She likes to keep her neighborhood clean and safe. She definitely wants to build better futures for other people coming along.”

]]>storiesTue, 25 Sep 2018 14:38:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-09-26-preview-petals.jpg?10000Tragedy Leads to Progresshttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/tragedy-leads-to-progress-neighborhoodassist/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/tragedy-leads-to-progress-neighborhoodassist/Sidewalks on heavily trafficked street to improve pedestrian safety.In the mornings and afternoons, Williamson Street in East Brewton, Ala., is busy with children walking to and from school. With no sidewalks, the children, and other residents, are forced to use the grassy area near the road or the road itself to walk.

One winter morning, the danger of that was fully realized.

Devon Spencer was walking to school with a friend on a February morning in 2016 when he was hit by a teenage driver. The saxophone player and basketball and football star died in the hospital five days later from brain injuries related to the crash. The driver was sentenced to five years in prison.

“It was carelessness. It was a mistake,” says Ria Ricks, Devon’s cousin and State Farm® Claims specialist – Fire, Weather and Catastrophe.

The City of East Brewton submitted a grant with the state of Alabama to put in sidewalks on both sides of the two-lane road, and now, with the help of a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist® grant, the city can provide its portion of the money to start the project. During the voting process, 167,000 people cast 4.5 million votes in support of their favorite causes.

“This grant will make sure the kids have a safe place to walk to school. East Brewton is a really small, rural area with two schools on Williamson Street. There’s a lot of foot traffic,” Ria, who submitted the cause for the grant, says. “This grant will make the children’s commute easier and safer.”

Ria still tears up when she talks about the day her cousin died.

“When everything happened, they found a pair of shoes on the side of the road, but he had his shoes on him. It turns out he had brought an extra pair of shoes for another student who was being picked on,” she says. “He was the sweetest kid, and so talented and smart.”

The East Brewton Sidewalks for Safety in Memory of Devon Spencer is one of 40 causes receiving a Neighborhood Assist grant in 2018. Ten days of voting pushed the winning 40 out of 200 finalists to the top through the crowd-sourced philanthropic grant program.

“State Farm is here to help life go right in neighborhoods all across the country. We look forward to seeing the changes in these 40 communities because of these Neighborhood Assist grants,” said Allison Bertsche, Public Affairs Director at State Farm.

]]>stories,neighborhood assist,sidewalk,safety,walking to school,devon spencer,east brewton,alabama,winnersTue, 25 Sep 2018 09:33:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-09-25-preview-newsroom.png?59613Along the Road of Lifehttps://newsroom.statefarm.com/along-the-road-of-life-liam/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/along-the-road-of-life-liam/When Jess Steenberg gets on her motorcycle for an annual benefit ride, she thinks about how things could have been different.

The money raised from the ride helps a local family care for the young child of two of Jess’s friends killed in a crash three years ago. The funds also helped pay lingering medical costs and final expenses.

Jess is an agent team member for State Farm® Agent Thomas Klann, Fort Madison, Iowa. She’s worked for two insurance agents for the past seven years, and is hoping to be a State Farm agent someday.

“I used to feel a little uneasy asking people about life insurance, but not now,” Jess says. “This was a wake-up call. I have seen what happens, and I know what life insurance can do for families.”

Jess says it’s not just about whether you have life insurance or you don’t. It’s about the type of policy and how much coverage, as well as what kind of life insurance – for example, sometimes group life insurance through work might not be adequate. It depends on each person’s individual needs.

“I also talk with people about their beneficiaries, including survivor beneficiaries – meaning if you and your beneficiary both die – so loved ones are protected,” Jess says.

For her friends’ families, they dealt with overwhelming medical expenses and had to wait more than a year to purchase a headstone for one of their loved ones. In addition there are financial challenges of family members joining together to raise a young child.

This year, about 50 people participated in the benefit ride. Though concern for the family is still there, each year the number of participants decline as other events happen and take center stage in a small town. However, the family’s financial needs and expenses continue.

“It’s so difficult to sit with a person who has just lost a loved one,” Jess adds. “But I see how life insurance can ease financial worries so they have time to grieve rather than worrying about returning to work in order to pay the electric bill.”

When Jess thinks about the difference she can make in other people’s lives, she says, “It’s never a good thing to deliver a claim check for a life policy, but I know I’d like to be the one delivering it.”

]]>stories,liam,life insurance,life insurance awareness,life insurance awareness month,fort madison,iowa,thomas klann,motorcycle,Jess SteenbergWed, 19 Sep 2018 09:26:00 -0500https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1441/500_2018-09-20-newsroom-liam.png?10000Hurricane Florence: We Are Here To Help!https://newsroom.statefarm.com/hurricane-florence-stay-safe-here-to-help/
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/hurricane-florence-stay-safe-here-to-help/Please continue to monitor local information. When it is safe to do so, make (or have a contractor make) temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home or property. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps, plywood or other repair supplies. Take photos/videos of damage for claim documentation.

Cato, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, joined the department in May 2017 after graduating from the State Farm Arson Dog program. The $50,000 cost for the program was sponsored by State Farm®.

A year after her arrival, Cato’s partner and handler, Darlington County Fire Chief Ricky Flowers, says he can’t imagine life without her.

“There was a media blitz when she arrived, and arson fires have dropped 85 percent since she came on board. Cato did what we wanted her to do – cut down on the number of suspicious fires.”

But her role has expanded to be much more than an arson dog. Ricky says he is beyond amazed at Cato’s expanding role in the fire department’s public relations efforts.

When not investigating suspected arson scenes, the cuddly canine is seen around town promoting fire safety, social interaction and literacy to local students.

Cato’s recent visit to a local elementary school resulted in a request from the school for more State Farm-branded dog bone flashlights for a Cato-inspired pajama party and reading event for its students.

“We went to the school to demonstrate fire prevention, and the kids fell in love with her,” Ricky says.

In turn, Ricky was inspired by the request to expand the elementary school's literacy efforts.

“This year we’re trying a program where local elementary school students in every grade who read the most books get to spend the day at the firehouse with us,” he says. “We’d like to do it before winter break and again after winter break to give the kids something to look forward to and inspire them to read.”

Ricky says the pair have become local celebrities of sorts to students.

“State Farm gave us trading cards with our picture on them that we hand out to the kids,” Ricky says. “They’ve been a big hit. Kids come up to me in the grocery store to say hello.”

Kim Conyers, Public Affairs specialist, says the fire chief has developed a clever extension of the Arson dog partnership.

“Using Cato and the elementary schools in the area to morph safety education into promoting literacy is a great concept,” Kim says.

In addition to literacy, Cato helps college students learn more about sociology.

Ricky’s wife, Shannon, teaches sociology and criminology at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. Cato visits her class to demonstrate her arson technique.

“I explain that Cato is totally unbiased. She doesn’t see suspects. She’s just looking for clues,” her handler says. “The students love the demonstration, and they also love to pet her. They ask if I can bring her back before exams to help them relax.”

Like the students, Cato relaxes in her down time. At home and at schools, she is a playful puppy.

Until it’s time to go to work. Like many working dogs, Cato’s personality changes depending on the situation.

“Her chests puffs out, and her mood changes. She goes from playful to working girl as soon as she sees me pick up the leash,” says Ricky. “When the leash goes on, her nose goes to the ground and she doesn’t care what else is going on around her. She’d ignore a T-bone steak. It’s like she’s got a split personality.”

Cato couldn’t make it as a disability support dog at Paws for a Cause because of her energy and curiosity.

“She is our first arson dog. Our original plan was to slow arsons down in the county because we were having a problem,” he says. “When I approached our administration to ask about getting a dog, I said I didn’t know what else the dog would be able to do. Now we see that she does so much more. She is the most valuable tool we have in the department right now.”